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The number of guaranteed positions for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities will be cut by over 50%, following a controversial legislative amendment that required local governments to submit the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which can include one or more councillors based on demographic data, were established in 2001 to give Māori electors the choice to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments were only able to create a Māori ward by initially putting it to a public vote in their area. Communities often spent years building local support and pushing their councils to create Indigenous representation.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed local councils to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration reversed the change, stating local residents should decide whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had created a ward under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes concurrently with the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Of 42 councils participating in the referendum, 17 voted to keep their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – showing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes represented “a crucial move in reinstating local democratic control.”

Critics however have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the coalition government has implemented sweeping rollbacks to measures intended to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has said it wants to end “race-based” policies, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Urban-Rural Divide

The results of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – most urban centers required to vote backed Māori wards, while rural regions leaned strongly towards removing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Indigenous seats that had only just come in – they’re only just starting to hit their stride.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

This year’s local government elections registered the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with under one-third of eligible voters participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to create different electoral districts – such as countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The different conditions applied to Indigenous representation suggested the government was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.”

This remark referred to the 17 areas that voted to retain their seats.