Will the next Government kill off the Māori seats?

Māori Party Co-leader, Te Ururoa Flavell says the Māori seats in Parliament are in danger of disappearing if the latest polls come to fruition. The polls show an increase in support for the Conservatives and New Zealand First who have both campaigned on getting rid of the Māori seats. Add to this, the coat tailing actions of Internet – Mana Party in abusing the Te Tai Tokerau seat to draw in those who have no affiliation to Te Te Tai Tokerau and then split off after six weeks, the Maori seats are absolutely in jeopardy of being lost.

“Māori voters need to look at the latest poll results and wake up. We call on all Māori to stand together, to fight for our right to representation, and to ensure our mokopuna will always have a party and electorate seats in their name.

“Conservative parties regard Māori representation in local and national government as a separatist threat. Fair-minded New Zealanders know that this is a ridiculous claim, we’ve had Māori seats in Parliament since 1867 and the country is richer for it. Without guaranteed Māori representation in Parliament our ability to protect Māori interests and rights in this country would be severely diminished,” says Mr Flavell.

The Electoral Act 1993, and its predecessor, the Māori Representation Act 1867, have always provided for a separate Māori polity in the form of a Māori electoral roll. The Local Government Act 2002 also allows for Māori representation. Just last week, the New Plymouth District Council move a step closer to introducing a Māori ward in time for the 2016 local body elections which Winston Peters said was “a disastrous path” for this country.

“Since we’ve been in our relationship accord with the National Party, they have taken the abolition of these seats off the agenda but if parties like New Zealand First, Act and the Conservatives had their way the Māori seats would disappear. On current polling, it’s unlikely that the Labour Party which supports the Māori seats will lead the next Government, certainly not without New Zealand First on board. The Māori Party has fought too hard over these last ten years to get into a negotiating position with any government to now watch the power of the Māori electoral seats being eroded,” says Mr Flavell.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On The Government's Assault On Maori

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