🔗 Share this article Guaranteed Māori Seats on New Zealand Local Governments to Be Reduced by Over 50% The number of reserved positions for Māori representatives on New Zealand local authorities will be slashed by over 50%, after a divisive law change that forced local governments to submit the future of hard-earned Māori seats to a public vote. Background Information on Māori Wards Indigenous electoral districts, which can include multiple elected officials based on demographic data, were created in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the choice to elect a assured Māori representative in municipal and provincial governments. Initially, local governments could only create a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their region. Local populations frequently devoted considerable time building community backing and urging their local governments to create Māori wards. Policy Changes and Government Actions To remedy the issue, the previous Labour government permitted municipal authorities to establish a Indigenous seat without initially mandating them to subject it to a public vote. However, this year, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, stating communities ought to determine whether to introduce Indigenous representation. Referendum Results The coalition’s law change mandated local authorities that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes alongside the municipal polls, which ended on 11 October. Of 42 councils taking part in the referendum, 17 decided to retain their wards, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – revealing many regions opposed to reserved Indigenous seats. These outcomes represented “a crucial move in reinstating local democratic control.” Critics nevertheless have condemned the government’s law change as “discriminatory” and “anti-Māori”. After assuming power, the current administration has implemented sweeping rollbacks to policies intended to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it aims to end “ethnic-specific” policies, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Indigenous people and every citizen. Geographical Splits Outcomes of the public votes were split down city-country divisions – most urban centers required to vote supported Māori wards, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards removing them. “It's unfortunate for the Māori wards that had only just come in – they’re just beginning to hit their stride.” Voter Turnout and Criticism This year’s local government elections recorded the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with less than a third of eligible voters participating, leading to calls for an overhaul. The process had been “a mockery”. Differential Standards Councils are able to create other types of wards – such as countryside seats – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards suggested the government was singling out Indigenous inclusion. “Well, they failed. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.” This remark referred to the 17 areas that voted to retain their wards.