Option Update - Māori Electoral Option 2006
17 July 2006 Volume 1, Number 4

Time Almost Up for 2006 Māori Electoral Option

The 2006 Māori Electoral Option finishes in just over a fortnight. Māori who haven't taken part yet need to make their choice by Wednesday August 2. All Māori Electoral Option forms or enrolment forms need to be with the Registrar of Electors by 2 August to count as part of the 2006 Māori Electoral Option.

Over 18,000 Māori Change Roll Type

As at the beginning of July over 18,000 Māori had changed the type of electoral roll they were on. Another 7,286 had enrolled for the first time. The numbers in more detail:

• 11,836 Māori have switched from the General Roll to the Māori Roll
• 6,372 Māori have switched from the Māori Roll to the General Roll
• 5,469 Māori have enrolled for the first time on the Māori Roll
• 1,817 Māori have enrolled for the first time on the General Roll

The net impact of this is:

• an increase to the Māori Roll of 10,933 electors; and
• a decrease of declared Māori electors on the General Roll of 3,647.

A Snapshot of Other Māori Electoral Option Facts

• 11,258 Māori have returned their Option form to update their details, but choosing to remain on the same roll type.
• A further 9,672 Māori have returned their form without any changes to their details or roll type.
• The most popular way of requesting an enrolment form is by text message. Over 16,000 enrolment forms have been requested by text message, another 4,000 plus from the elections website and over 4,600 from the elections freephone service.

Kanohi-ki-te-Kanohi Update

The Kanohi-ki-te-Kanohi (face-to-face) teams have made presentations to over 128,000 people about what the Option is and how to take part. They have gathered over 21,000 valid enrolment forms (includes non-Māori). In the last two weeks a team has been on the road visiting smaller North Island communities, talking to another 10,000 people and generating another 850 enrolment forms.

What Happens Once The Option Is Over?

The final results of the Option will be used to help work out the number of Māori and General electorates for the next two elections. Statistics New Zealand will use the 2006 Census of Population and Dwellings figures and the results of the Māori Electoral Option to establish the number of General and Māori electorates. Statistics New Zealand expects to provide this information in February 2007.

What's Your Choice?

If you or someone you know hasn't made their choice either read the information in your Māori Electoral Option pack sent in early April or click here. Or, get an enrolment form by: going online to www.elections.org.nz
freetexting your name and address to 3676
calling 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56)
going to any PostShop.

Contact Us

www.elections.org.nz
enrol@elections.org.nz
0800 36 76 56