12 September 2007

Associate Health Minister encourages Maori to make their voice heard in the upcoming DHB elections

The number of Māori standing in this year's District Health Board elections shows a strong desire for our whānau to have their say in the health sector, says Associate Minister of Health Mita Ririnui.

Around 50 Māori candidates are among the 430 who are standing in this year's DHB elections. This is a slightly lower proportion than at the 2004 DHB elections but still shows a strong interest from Māori to be involved in decisions that affect their health.

Almost all of the DHBs have at least one Māori candidate standing and Tairawhiti DHB leads the way with more than half of candidates being Māori.

Each of the DHBs has between 12 and 34 candidates standing for the seven elected positions available on each board.

Mr Ririnui said it was vital for Māori to tautoko their candidates and have their say in the elections by completing and posting their voting papers back.

"DHBs make incredibly important decisions that affect the way health and disability services are delivered to all communities, including Māori in Aotearoa," he says.

Mr Ririnui said having Māori at the board table would assist the board in getting their heads around the best way to tackle some of the health issues facing Māori in Aotearoa today.

"It also gives that important Māori kōrero and āhua around the DHB board table," he adds.

Mr Ririnui says it is not too late for Māori to enrol to vote in the local and DHB elections.

"You can still drop your enrolment form off at any PostShop before Friday 12 October," he says.

"However, you will also need to request a special voting paper from your local council’s electoral officer," he adds.

DHB elections are held under the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, where voters rank candidates in order of preference. Instead of putting a tick beside candidates' names, voters put a number.

The elections also use 'at-large' structures, where voters are able to express a preference for every candidate who stands for their board. DHB elections are held by postal vote at the same time as local government elections.

Voting packs will be posted out to all registered electors from Friday 21 September and voting papers must be returned by midday on Saturday 13 October.

For more information, including a full list of candidates standing for the DHB elections, visit www.yourdhb.org.nz

ENDS

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