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The count of guaranteed seats for Indigenous council members on NZ local authorities will be cut by over 50%, after a divisive legislative amendment that forced local governments to submit the future of hard-won Indigenous wards to a popular referendum.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple elected officials depending on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the choice to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Originally, councils were only able to establish a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their region. Communities often devoted considerable time generating community backing and urging their local governments to create 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 popular ballot.

But in 2024, the current administration overturned the policy, saying local residents should decide whether to introduce Indigenous representation.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required councils that had created a ward under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes concurrently with the municipal polls, which concluded on 11 October. Of 42 councils taking part in the public vote, 17 decided to keep their seats, and 25 to disestablish theirs – revealing numerous areas opposed to guaranteed Māori representation.

These outcomes represented “a vital step in reinstating community self-determination.”

Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the current administration has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to measures intended to improve Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. The government has stated it aims 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 divided down urban-rural lines – most cities required to vote supported Māori wards, while rural regions leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.

“It's unfortunate for the Indigenous seats that had recently been established – they’re only just starting to find their footing.”

Voter Turnout and Criticism

The recent municipal polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third of citizens casting a vote, prompting demands for reform.

The process had been “a farce”.

Differential Standards

Councils are able to establish different electoral districts – such as countryside seats – without initially mandating a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Māori wards suggested the administration was targeting Indigenous inclusion.

“Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Many communities have expressed strong opposition.”

This remark concerned the 17 regions that chose to retain their seats.