🔗 Share this article Reserved Māori Council Positions on New Zealand Councils to Be Reduced by Over 50% The count of guaranteed positions for Māori representatives on New Zealand local authorities is set to be slashed by over 50%, after a controversial law change that required local governments to put the future of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote. Background Information on Indigenous Representation Māori wards, which can include multiple elected officials based on demographic data, were created in 2001 to give Indigenous voters the choice to elect a assured Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Originally, councils could only create a Māori ward by first submitting it to a public vote in their area. Communities frequently devoted considerable time building local support and urging their local governments to establish Māori wards. Legislative Shifts and Administrative Decisions To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government allowed municipal authorities to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to subject it to a popular ballot. But in 2024, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, saying local residents ought to determine whether to introduce Māori wards. Referendum Results The new legislation mandated councils that had created a electoral district under Labour’s rules to conduct binding referendums alongside the local body elections, which concluded on 11 October. Out of 42 local governments taking part in the referendum, 17 decided to keep their seats, and twenty-five to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas against guaranteed Māori representation. The results provided “a vital step in restoring community self-determination.” Opposition parties however have condemned the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. The government has stated it wants to end “race-based” policies, and asserts it is committed to enhancing results for Māori and all New Zealanders. Urban-Rural Divide The results of the referendums were divided down city-country divisions – most cities mandated to hold referendums backed Māori wards, while rural regions skewed heavily towards disestablishing them. “It's unfortunate for the Indigenous seats that had recently been established – they’re only just starting to hit their stride.” Voter Turnout and Concerns This year’s municipal polls registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with under one-third of citizens participating, prompting calls for an overhaul. This approach had been “a farce”. Differential Standards Local governments are permitted to create other types of electoral districts – such as countryside seats – without initially mandating a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Indigenous representation suggested the administration was singling out Indigenous inclusion. “Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.” This statement referred to the 17 regions that chose to retain their seats.