Guaranteed Māori Council Positions on New Zealand Local Governments to Be Slashed by More Than Half
The count of guaranteed positions for Māori representatives on New Zealand councils is set to be slashed by more than half, following a controversial legislative amendment that forced municipal councils to put the fate of hard-won Indigenous wards to a public vote.
Background Information on Indigenous Representation
Māori wards, which can include multiple elected officials depending on demographic data, were established in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the choice to elect a guaranteed Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Initially, local governments were only able to establish a Indigenous seat by initially submitting it to a public vote in their area. Communities frequently spent years generating community backing and pushing their councils to create Indigenous representation.
Policy Changes and Government Actions
To remedy the issue, the former administration permitted local councils to establish a Māori ward without initially mandating them to subject it to a public vote.
However, this year, the right-wing coalition government overturned the policy, stating communities should decide whether to establish Indigenous representation.
Voting Outcomes
The coalition’s law change required councils that had established a electoral district under Labour’s rules to hold decisive public votes alongside the local body elections, which concluded on October 11. Of 42 councils taking part in the referendum, 17 decided to keep their seats, and 25 to abolish theirs – showing numerous areas against reserved Indigenous seats.
These outcomes provided “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”
Opposition parties nevertheless have criticised the government’s law change as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. After assuming power, the current administration has implemented extensive reversals to policies designed to enhance Māori health, wellbeing and representation. Officials has stated it aims to end “ethnic-specific” approaches, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders.
Geographical Splits
Outcomes of the public votes were split down urban-rural lines – six of the seven cities required to vote backed Māori wards, while countryside areas leaned strongly towards disestablishing them.
“It's unfortunate for the Indigenous seats that had recently been established – they’re just beginning to hit their stride.”
Electoral Participation and Criticism
This year’s municipal polls registered the smallest electoral participation in 36 years, with less than a third of citizens participating, leading to calls for an overhaul.
The process had been “a mockery”.
Comparative Treatment
Councils are able to establish other types of electoral districts – including rural wards – without first requiring a community ballot. The disparate requirements placed on Indigenous representation indicated the government was singling out Māori representation.
“Well, they failed. Numerous localities have expressed strong opposition.”
This remark concerned the 17 regions that chose to retain their seats.
