A First for Iwi Treaty Settlement Voting

Enlighten System - A New Zealand First for Iwi Treaty Settlement Voting
For Immediate Release
18 November 2010

Enlighten has released a website enabling Ngati Porou Iwi members to approve the proposals for the Ngati Porou historical treaty settlement. The website combines online, SMS, and postal voting - bringing a new level of flexibility and accessibility to Iwi settlement voting processes.

The Ngati Porou Historical Treaty Settlement Package with the Crown and the Post Settlement Governance Entity (PSGE) proposal has recently been finalised. When signing the official acceptance on behalf of the Crown, Finance Minister Bill English commented, "this is an exciting evolution in the process and many eyes will be watching closely."

Each registered adult member of Ngati Porou is entitled to vote and approve on the Crown's settlement package and the PSGE proposal. After receiving the Ratification voting pack, which includes information about the settlement package and the PSGE proposal, the Ngati Porou members are directed to the treaty ratification website to cast their votes.

The solution delivered by Enlighten not only records the details of Ngati Porou members but also supports the Iwi's internal processes and the settlement voting process. It strictly adheres to the New Zealand Government Web Standards and is reliable and highly functional.

To give voters maximal accessibility to the ratification process the solution supports online and SMS text voting. Additionally the solution works alongside the traditional postal voting also being employed during ratification voting. This is the first time an Iwi has utilised online and SMS voting in such a way and it is likely to help lead the way for other Iwi throughout New Zealand.

If there is sufficient votes in favour of the settlement package and the PSGE from Ngati Porou members, the deed of settlement will be signed and the PSGE will be established.

ENDS

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