Maori Women's Welfare League
26 July 2006

MAORI WOMEN'S WELFARE LEAGUE GETS MAORI ELECTORAL OPTION MESSAGE OUT

The Maori Women’s Welfare League is getting behind the final reminders to Maori to make sure they take part in the 2006 Maori Electoral Option.

"Awareness of the choice Maori have this year is very high," says Jacqui Te Kani, General Manager, Maori Women's Welfare League.

"We've had over 50,000 conversations with our people in the past few months making sure they know the choice they have between the General Roll and the Maori Roll.

"If they haven't made their choice yet then there's very little time left. The Option closes on Wednesday 2 August," says Mrs Te Kani.

The Maori Women's Welfare League is part of the official Maori Electoral Option kanohi-ki-te-kanohi (face to face) activity being carried out by the Electoral Enrolment Centre.

The League has been involved in whanau based meetings, social events, Kapa Haka and sports events, hui, reunions, festivals and business functions and been on the streets and in malls, at school and parenting meetings and visiting Kohanga Reo and Kura Kaupapa to get the message out.

"Our people in Northland, the East Cape and most of the South Island have been targeted through our women and networks, says Mrs Te Kani.

"The Maori Women's Welfare League has always been a strong advocate for the need for people to be enrolled and vote.

"We have been tapping into our networks and mobilising our members to help ensure the formal Maori Electoral Option campaign is a success," she says.

For more information please contact Jacqui Te Kani, General Manager Maori Women’s Welfare League ph 04 473 6451.