Gerry Brownlee MP National Party Maori Affairs Spokesman

7 August 2006

Maori option costs $308 for each new voter

National Party Maori Affairs spokesman Gerry Brownlee says the stunning lack of success of the Maori electoral option shows that the only way forward is through a one-person, one-vote system, not a race-based approach.

"The Maori option has proved to be a total waste of money, having cost $4.6 million.

"National has always said a divided electoral system is not the way forward, and the results of this option show that some Maori are turning away from the Maori roll.

"The net gain for the Maori roll was only 14,914 voters. That means it cost $308 dollars for each new net enrolment.

"National said months ago when the advertising campaign for the Maori option started, that the real choice facing Maori was whether, fundamentally, they believed we are one country or two.

"National believes the only way forward for New Zealand is to have a single system that unites us, rather than divides us."

ENDS

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