Students choose between Māori and General roll for the upcoming election

Photo: RNZ / Sarah Robson

The final figures from the 2023 Electoral options were released by the Electoral Commission following a four-month period where Māori were able to switch between Māori and General rolls.

Between the 31st of March and 13th of July a total of 8109 people changed their enrolment from the general to Māori rolls.

For many UC students, this year’s election is their first time voting, so are having to make this decision for the first time. For them there are many factors around their identity and knowledge that go into their decision.

 One student said that although she has Māori ancestry she chose to be on the general roll as she was raised in a “very Pākehā way.”

“I feel like it’s not really my place if that makes sense. I think that other Māori people would have better knowledge.”

Another student said that although they knew they could enrol on the Māori roll, they didn’t feel they had the knowledge to make their choice in an educated way. Saying, “I’m going to be honest I don’t really know much about it.”

Lack of education around this choice is seemingly a key issue for those making this choice for the first time. So, what do the different electoral rolls mean for the way you can vote?

Those of Māori descent can choose which electoral roll they want to be on, the general roll or the Māori roll. This choice determines the candidates you can vote for in general and by-elections.

On the General roll you can vote for a Member of Parliament in which ever of the 64 general electorates you live in. For many UC students this is the Ilam electorate which makes up northwest Christchurch.

While those on the Māori roll can also vote for a Member of Parliament, however this is in one of seven Māori electorates. For those in the South Island this is Te Tai Tonga.

Importantly, whether you are enrolled on the Māori or General roll, it will not affect who you can vote for in the party vote.

The Māori electoral option is significant as it helps to fulfil the rights of Māori to political representation as promised in Te Tiriti o Waitangi. However, from their original conception in 1867 Māori remained underrepresented, with the number of Māori seats remaining fixed at four for 129 years.

A fifth Māori seat would not be added util the 1996 election at the first MMP election. A sixth seat was added in 1999 and a seventh in 2002 as the number of Māori voters shifting to the Māori roll surged.

From 1991 to 2006 the percentage of Māori on the Māori roll increased from 40% to 58%.