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The count of reserved seats for Indigenous council members on NZ local authorities is set to be slashed by more than half, following a controversial legislative amendment that forced municipal councils to submit the fate of hard-won Māori seats to a public vote.

Background Information on Indigenous Representation

Indigenous electoral districts, which may have multiple elected officials based on demographic data, were created in 2001 to provide Indigenous voters the choice to vote for a assured Indigenous council member in local and regional authorities. Initially, councils could only establish a Māori ward by initially putting it to a public vote in their region. Local populations often spent years building community backing and urging their local governments to establish Māori wards.

Policy Changes and Government Actions

To address this concern, the former administration allowed local councils to set up a Indigenous seat without first requiring them to put it to a public vote.

However, this year, the current administration reversed the change, stating local residents should decide whether to establish Māori wards.

Referendum Results

The new legislation required councils that had established a electoral district under the previous policy to conduct decisive public votes concurrently with the municipal polls, which ended on October 11. 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 opposed to reserved Indigenous seats.

The results represented “a vital step in reinstating local democratic control.”

Critics nevertheless have criticised the new policy as “racist” and “against Indigenous interests”. Since taking office, the coalition government has ushered in sweeping rollbacks to measures intended to enhance Indigenous welfare and political inclusion. Officials has stated it wants to end “race-based” approaches, and asserts it is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and every citizen.

Geographical Splits

The results of the public votes were split down urban-rural lines – most urban centers mandated to hold referendums backed Indigenous seats, while rural regions skewed heavily towards disestablishing them.

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

Voter Turnout and Concerns

The recent 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”.

Comparative Treatment

Local governments are permitted to create different wards – including countryside seats – without first requiring a public vote. The disparate requirements placed on Māori wards suggested the administration was targeting 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 seats.