Post by Kiwi Frontline on Jun 7, 2023 5:29:41 GMT 12
CHANGES TO ELECTORAL SYSTEM 'FAIRER' FOR MĀORI BUT UNLIKELY TO GARNER SUPPORT
Dr Maria Bargh (Te Arawa, Ngāti Awa), the panel's deputy chairperson told teaomaori.news the review found that more could be done with the electoral system to engage Māori voters and participation, including the addition of a 'give effect to Te Tiriti' clause in the Electoral Act that would see equitable growth for Māori electorates.
"We had some promises under Te Tiriti. But over the years, and in many areas, including in our electoral laws, we haven't seen that kind of equitable treatment. If we take, for example, the fact that the Māori electorates were pegged at four for about 125 years, so they couldn't increase at all, but in the general electorate seats, they were increasing as our population increased.
"This is one of the areas where we've seen different treatments."
One of the recommendations by the panel is to further evolve the Māori Electoral option and allow Māori voters to change roles at any time. A law change came into effect recently allowing Māori voters to change at any time up to 3 months before an election.
Bargh said that doesn't go far enough.....
www.teaomaori.news/changes-electoral-system-fairer-maori-unlikely-garner-support
Dr Maria Bargh (Te Arawa, Ngāti Awa), the panel's deputy chairperson told teaomaori.news the review found that more could be done with the electoral system to engage Māori voters and participation, including the addition of a 'give effect to Te Tiriti' clause in the Electoral Act that would see equitable growth for Māori electorates.
"We had some promises under Te Tiriti. But over the years, and in many areas, including in our electoral laws, we haven't seen that kind of equitable treatment. If we take, for example, the fact that the Māori electorates were pegged at four for about 125 years, so they couldn't increase at all, but in the general electorate seats, they were increasing as our population increased.
"This is one of the areas where we've seen different treatments."
One of the recommendations by the panel is to further evolve the Māori Electoral option and allow Māori voters to change roles at any time. A law change came into effect recently allowing Māori voters to change at any time up to 3 months before an election.
Bargh said that doesn't go far enough.....
www.teaomaori.news/changes-electoral-system-fairer-maori-unlikely-garner-support