Apathy could endanger Maori Seats – Churches

Tu Tangata, Issue 1, 1 August 1981, Page 32

Apathy could endanger Maori Seats - Churches

The Maori parliamentary seats could be lost through apathy, say eminent Maori churchmen. A poor response and poor participation on election day has seen a downward trend of Maori people going to the polls. Discussing the possible loss of the present special representation at the recent Tu Tangata Whanau Wananga o nga Hahi Maori, the representatives of the various Maori churches felt that a new form of representation may be needed. They agreed, however, that the present system should be retained until other alternatives could be talked about from a position of strength rather than one which comes by default.

It was decided by the church representatives at Te Unga Waka marae in Auckland to encourage the members of the various churches to enrol and to vote in the coming elections.

Ted Maurice is also concerned with the participation of the Maori people in the coming General Elections.

“If you don’t vote, you’ve got no comeback,” he says. A cartage contractor for 25 years, Ted Maurice or “Chappie” is from Te Whanau a Apanui and was selected by the Post Office to work with Mr Les Skellern the Registrar of Electors for Eastern Maori. They travelled extensively through out the East Coast and Bay of Plenty for several weeks at the end of last year talking to many Maori people.

Ted is well known in these areas. He is on the St Stephens and Queen Victoria Trust Board, an active participant in sporting groups and he was an officer in the 28th Maori Battalion.

“These contacts are important,” says Ted, “because we are trying to reach the people. We want people to enrol and to vote. Everyone eligible to vote should check the electoral rolls. Printed rolls are available from all post offices, court houses, libraries, Citizens Advice Bureaux and Maori Affairs offices. If you are not on the roll or the details are incorrect go to any post office and fill in an enrolment form. Those who were on the roll for the 1978 General Election will not automatically be on the new roll. I cannot stress strongly enough the importance of being on the roll.”

Ted Maurice explained that a New Zealand Maori or a descendant of a New Zealand Maori has the choice of registering for a General electorate or a Maori electorate. “However, this choice is only allowed by law at certain intervals,” Ted detailed. “The last option was at the 1976 Census and the next option is in 1982. The choice made is binding until the next option. Those enrolling for the first time can choose which roll to be on.”

Those who have moved since last completing an enrolment form need to fill in a change of address form available at the post office. The form titled “shifting” is made up of a postal redirection order, an electoral change of address and a television licence change of address.

Any queries concerning changes should be made to the Registrars of Electors or at the local post office.