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The Maori Party has requested a recount in Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Tai Hauāuru, claiming that discrimination prevented many people from voting.
The recount requests were presented today before the Electoral Commission.
Maori Party Chairman Che Wilson said the party had no dispute over the final numbers, but was concerned that some Whānau would be denied the right to vote on the Maori list at selected polling booths.
“We have heard problems from people who say they are in the Maori electorate, but when they get there their names are not on the list and then they are forced to have to do a special vote in the general electorate. There was a case of a man. in his 70s who has been on the Maori list his whole life and was told ‘no, now you are on the general list,’ he said.
“The treatment of Maori seats where you have to wait in line because there are more people serving general seats than Maori seats. Even when I started voting in the 90s, you could only vote in certain places and you weren’t there” No voting is allowed anywhere. That has changed, but there are still many things that need to be reviewed. “
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Irene Smith reports for The Message. Source: The Message
He said that the problems were widespread and were seen in all seven electorates.
“We are interested in seeing if all the complaints that we have received are accumulating and if we have to analyze the system and if it is biased towards Maori. For years, there have been so many people who have tried to ask how we facilitate the system.
“At the moment, you are opted for the general electorate unless you opt for the Maori electorate. That’s just helping non-Maori, rather than ourselves.”
He said the count was an effort to clean up the system and ensure everyone was treated the same.
The result of the elections after the special votes were counted ensured Rawiri Waititi’s victory in Waiariki, and the party’s vote was enough for Maori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to enter Parliament.
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Te Karere host Scotty Morrison explains the difference between the General and Maori scrolls. Source: 1 NEWS
Wilson said the odds were continually against the Maori and that the 5 percent threshold was unattainable for any indigenous party.
He said the threshold should be lowered by at least half in the seats of the Maori electorate.
“Now that we have representation in the House, the Maori Party’s agenda has not changed with respect to the policies we publish during the election campaign.
“Maori are included in the Pākehā list and can only opt for the Maori list every five years, which means that it cannot happen in two elections. That is discrimination. We will seek consensus and support from all parties in Parliament.” .
