The number of reserved positions for Māori representatives on NZ councils is set to be slashed by more than half, following a controversial law change that required local governments to put the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a public vote.
Māori wards, which can include multiple elected officials depending on local population numbers, were established in 2001 to give Māori electors the option to vote for a guaranteed Māori representative in local and regional authorities. Originally, councils were only able to establish a Māori ward by initially submitting it to a community referendum in their area. Local populations often devoted considerable time generating community backing and urging their councils to establish Indigenous representation.
To address this concern, the former administration permitted municipal authorities to establish a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to put it to a popular ballot.
However, this year, the right-wing coalition government reversed the change, stating local residents ought to determine whether to establish Indigenous representation.
The new legislation mandated local authorities 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 public vote, 17 decided to retain their seats, and twenty-five to disestablish theirs – showing many regions opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.
The results provided “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”
Opposition parties however have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “anti-Māori”. Since taking office, the current administration has implemented extensive reversals to policies intended to improve Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has said it wants to terminate “ethnic-specific” approaches, and asserts it is dedicated to enhancing results for Indigenous people and all New Zealanders.
The results of the public votes were divided down urban-rural lines – most cities mandated to hold referendums backed Indigenous seats, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.
“It’s a real shame for the Māori wards that had only just come in – they’re just beginning to find their footing.”
The recent local government elections registered the smallest electoral participation in over three decades, with less than a third of citizens participating, prompting calls for an overhaul.
This approach had been “a mockery”.
Local governments are able to create different electoral districts – including rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements applied to Indigenous representation suggested the administration was targeting Indigenous inclusion.
“Well, they failed. Many communities have given the government a middle finger response.”
This statement referred to the 17 regions that voted to keep their seats.
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