Key points
This indicator measures the proportion of female elected members of the regional, city or district council in the most recent elections, and the proportion of Maori elected members in local government. Evidence suggests over-representation on governance and decision-making bodies by people who identify with the New Zealand European ethnic group, with correspondingly poor representation by women, minority ethnic groups and young people. This may have an impact on the ability of those bodies to understand and advocate for these population groups, and on the perceived relevance of these bodies to such communities. Specific groups or sectors of the community may not feel they are being heard or their concerns addressed. Alienation from local decision-making process can have adverse repercussions for social connectedness in cities, districts and regions.
- The percentage of Maori elected members in local government across New Zealand increased substantially from 2.5% in 1992 to 6.0% in 1998 but subsequently declined to approximately 4.8% in 2007.
- There has been a long run increase in the proportion of female elected members in elected positions in New Zealand, but this stabilised at around 30 per cent since the late 1990s.
- Many of the territorial authorities in the Waikato Region have a relatively high proportion of female elected members, ranging from 50% in the South Waikato District to a low of 13% in the Thames-Coromandel District, reflecting a similar pattern to the 2004 and 2007 local body election results.
Percentage of Maori elected members in local government across New Zealand
Source: Local Government New Zealand
Notes: (a) Data unavailable on Maori representation in local government at the regional or territorial authority level. (b) Data for 2004 are unavailable. (c) 2007 results (and possibly earlier) include both ‘NZ Maori’ and NZ European/NZ Maori’ category responses.
Proportion of female elected members of city or district councils in local body elections by territorial authority
|
Territorial authority |
2001 |
2004 |
2007 |
2010 |
|
Franklin District |
21% |
40% |
25% |
n/a |
|
Thames-Coromandel District |
44% |
13% |
0% |
13% |
|
Hauraki District |
31% |
23% |
23% |
23% |
|
Waikato District |
15% |
15% |
15% |
29% |
|
Matamata-Piako District |
27% |
27% |
36% |
27% |
|
Hamilton City |
23% |
38% |
50% |
42% |
|
Waipa District |
25% |
25% |
17% |
33% |
|
Otorohanga District |
50% |
43% |
29% |
29% |
|
South Waikato District |
38% |
50% |
70% |
50% |
|
Waitomo District |
40% |
33% |
50% |
33% |
|
Taupo District |
45% |
33% |
40% |
30% |
|
Rotorua District |
17% |
25% |
50% |
50% |
Source: Department of Internal Affairs
What agencies are doing
Information currently being collated.
What you can do to help
Information currently being collated.
More information
More detail on this indicator, including how and where this information is collected, is available here.
What we want to achieve
The community outcomes we are seeking to achieve by increasing the degree of representation by tangata whenua and minority groups on governance and decision-making bodies are:
- All our people and communities can participate in decision-making. We are educated, informed and have the resources we need to take responsibility for our own futures.
- Iwi, hapu and Maori work together with central government, local government and community organisations in mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Our communities understand partnerships under the Treaty of Waitangi and representation and processes for these partnerships have integrity.
- The unique status of tangata whenua is respected and reflected in community processes.
- Maori have the opportunity to participate in community development and decision-making at marae, hapu and iwi levels.