Steven Gaskell: Democracy Strikes Back - 66% of New Zealanders Say “No” to Māori Wards

Well, isn’t this a delightful surprise? After years of the Left lecturing, brow-beating, and rewriting history, ordinary New Zealanders have finally said what most of us have been thinking all along: 66 percent of councils have voted “No” to these undemocratic, race-based Māori wards. The people have spoken and the social engineers are sulking.

For too long, the Left has tried to impose its vision of “co-governance” everywhere from council chambers to dog park under the thin disguise of “representation.” But these wards were never about democracy. They were about ideology, identity politics, and guaranteeing seats for a select group regardless of competence or accountability. A seat reserved by ancestry is, by definition, not democratic.

Across the country in Whakatāne, New Plymouth, Rotorua, Hawke’s Bay and beyond voters have stood up and said, “You can’t just hand power to someone because of their ancestry earn it like the rest of us.” Even Hamilton, despite its progressive zealots, is only narrowly holding on to its Māori ward. The message is loud and clear: if you want to be in local government, you earn it the democratic way, not by waving a cultural identity card.

Of course, the Left is having a meltdown. Suddenly “local democracy” only counts when the result goes their way. Voters are “uninformed” and “need education.” Funny how democracy works when the majority actually has a spine. Perhaps the lesson is simple: if you want power, campaign for it don’t demand it because your ancestors had a treaty two centuries ago.

So congratulations to the 66 percent of Kiwis who rejected these race-based wards. You’ve reminded the Left that you can lecture all you like, but you can’t legislate your way around democracy. The wards were a bad idea; the results prove it. The activists can shout and cry, but the rest of us can enjoy the sound of common sense winning.

Let this be a blueprint for next year’s election. God forbid the Left walks through the front door they’re already trying the back one.

The Back Door to Co-Governance

Instead of openly debating co-governance in Parliament where messy things like votes and accountability happen the Local Government Commission is quietly recommending that councils adopt “principles of the Treaty” as if they were handed down from Mount Sinai. The problem? Many of these “principles” were invented long after the Treaty itself. They conveniently translate to: more race-based seats, more veto power, and more say for iwi leaders over the people you actually elected.

The only question is whether we’ll slam the back door shut before co-governance becomes permanent furniture or keep paying our rates while democracy slips out the window.

1. Māori Political Backlash and Protest

Here comes the predictable outrage. Māori political activists led by Te Pāti Māori and assorted iwi leaders are already calling the results a “setback for representation” and “majority tyranny.” Translation: democracy’s fine as long as it delivers the right answer.

Expect the usual routine hikoi, placards, and accusations that believing in one person, one vote is “racist.” Don’t be surprised when someone demands Parliament override local voters and re-impose the wards by law. Nothing says representation like cancelling the electorate.

2. Councils That Kept Māori Wards

For the handful of councils clinging to Māori wards congratulations, you’ve volunteered for an experiment in political sociology. Expect higher costs, endless consultation committees, and “Treaty partnership advisors” explaining why nothing ever gets done. Ratepayers, of course, will pick up the bill.

In these councils, disagreement will equal racism and debate will be replaced by deference. It’s not representation it’s intimidation dressed as inclusion.

3. The Political Fallout

Nationally, the divide is crystal clear. On one side, New Zealanders who believe in equality under the law. On the other, activists who think equality is oppression. The Left’s reaction has been to insist the public “needs more education” which really means being told they were wrong until they agree.

Democracy has spoken, and the activist class can’t stand the sound of it.

4. The Long Game

This debate will be back, repackaged under a new name like “community partnership zones.” Same policy, new branding. But for now, common sense has won. Sixty-six percent of New Zealanders have made it clear: if you want a seat at the table, you earn it through democracy, not decree.

Steven is an entrepreneur and an ex RNZN diver who likes travelling, renovating houses, Swiss Watches, history, chocolate art and art deco.