27 August 2005

Turei: Greens aiming for Party Vote in Te Tai Tonga

Green MP and Te Tai Tonga candidate Metiria Turei has described the strong support for her and the Green Party in this morning's Marae Digipoll as an "absolute privilege".

Today's poll of Te Tai Tonga voters found the Mrs Turei attracting 13.3% of the electorate vote and the Green Party attracting 6.4% of the Party Vote.

"Clearly, voters in the Te Tai Tonga electorate are aware of the Greens' fierce opposition to the Foreshore and Seabed Bill, remember our MPs on the steps of Parliament during the Hikoi with an 'Honour the Treaty' banner and recognise that we have worked very hard to promote and support kaupapa Maori in the last three years," Mrs Turei said.

"However, it is critical that those Maori voters who want to see me back in Parliament give their Party Votes to the Green Party. Only by Party Voting Green will Maori voters send me back to Parliament so that I can continue to fight for Maori issues. We are asking 'please split your vote and Party Vote Green'.

"Maori voters are very sophisticated users of the MMP system. Maori voters in 2002 split their vote in greater proportion than voters in the general electorates. I am asking Te Tai Tonga voters to give their Party Vote to the Greens and to give their electorate vote to the person they think will best represent them in Parliament.

"Splitting your vote will mean you can get double the bang for your buck. The Greens have worked really well with the Maori Party, for example. They will definitely be in Parliament after the election because they will win some Maori seats, but the Greens need to be there, too, continuing our work on Maori issues."

ENDS

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