My Submission for the Electoral Ammendment Bill
To the Members of the Electoral Amendment Bill Select Committee
Parliament of New Zealand
Subject: Submission on Electoral Reforms and Democratic Integrity
Tēnā koutou,
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the government’s proposed electoral reforms and related legislative changes. These measures collectively represent a serious threat to democracy in Aotearoa and disproportionately undermine Māori representation and participation in decision-making.
The reintroduction of binding referendums on Māori wards is not about fairness; it is about control. Historically, these referendums have been used as a tool to exclude Māori voices from local governance, making their representation subject to majority veto.
At the same time, proposed restrictions on special votes and late enrolments will make it harder for many New Zealanders to exercise their democratic rights, particularly Māori and immigrant communities who are more likely to move frequently, enrol later, and face systemic barriers. These changes are not accidental; they are deliberate. They tilt the scales in favour of those who benefit from lower Māori turnout, under the guise of “local democracy.”
This is not reform. It is a calculated rollback. The government has:
Abolished the Māori Health Authority, dismantling a vital institution designed to address systemic health inequities.
Removed provisions giving Māori a voice in environmental decision-making, silencing indigenous perspectives on issues that directly affect their whenua.
Reduced the use of Te Reo Māori in public services, sending a message that Māori language and identity are unwelcome in the public sphere.
Repealed protections for Māori children in state care, weakening safeguards that kept tamariki connected to their culture and whakapapa.
Introduced the Treaty Principles Bill, which seeks to reinterpret Te Tiriti o Waitangi in ways that strip it of its protective power. Legal experts warn this could reduce Indigenous rights to generic civil rights, erasing the Treaty’s intent.
Proposed a referendum on the Treaty’s role, a move that risks deep division and undermines the constitutional foundation of our nation.
Enabled the removal of dedicated Māori wards in local government, weakening Māori representation in decision-making.
Advanced legislation allowing ministers to override cultural and environmental concerns, prioritising development over indigenous rights.
These actions are interconnected. They reflect a consistent agenda that replaces equity with a rigid, race-blind ideology. The claim that these measures are based on “need, not race” ignores the historical and structural disadvantages Māori continue to face. It is a deliberate erasure of context, culture, and justice.
Who benefits from this? Primarily ACT, NZ First, and elements of the National Party. Lower Māori engagement strengthens their hold on power; higher Māori participation threatens it. This is not just about councils. It is part of a broader strategy to roll back Treaty principles, weaken iwi representation, and weaponise the language of “equality” to dismantle protections for Māori.
What is at stake? Everything: Māori representation, local democracy, and the integrity of our voting system. If these changes proceed, Aotearoa will become less fair, less inclusive, and less democratic.
I urge the committee to reject these regressive measures and uphold the principles of equity, partnership, and justice that underpin our democracy.
Ngā mihi nui,
Dr Harpreet Singh
You can submit here. Submissions close 1 pm 11 September.