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The count of reserved positions for Indigenous council members on New Zealand local authorities will be cut by over 50%, after a divisive legislative amendment that forced municipal councils to put the future of hard-earned Indigenous wards to a public vote.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have one or more elected officials depending on demographic data, were created in 2001 to give Māori electors the choice to elect a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments were only able to establish a Indigenous seat by first putting it to a public vote in their area. Communities often devoted considerable time building local support and pushing their councils to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Administrative Decisions

To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted local councils to establish a Māori ward without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

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

Voting Outcomes

The coalition’s law change required local authorities that had created a ward under Labour’s rules to hold binding referendums alongside the municipal polls, which concluded on October 11. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the referendum, 17 voted to keep their wards, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – showing many regions opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

These outcomes provided “a vital step in restoring local democratic control.”

Critics nevertheless have criticised the government’s law change as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented extensive reversals to measures intended to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has said it wants to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Indigenous people and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

Outcomes of the public votes were split down urban-rural lines – most urban centers mandated to hold referendums supported Indigenous seats, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Māori wards that had recently been established – they’re just beginning to hit their stride.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent municipal polls registered the lowest voter turnout in over three decades, with under one-third of eligible voters casting a vote, prompting calls for an overhaul.

The process had been “a mockery”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to create different wards – including countryside seats – without initially mandating a public vote. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards indicated the government was singling out Indigenous inclusion.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”

This statement referred to the 17 areas that voted to keep their wards.