Key Takeaways
- The Green Party has introduced a member’s bill to entrench Māori seats into law, aiming to correct a constitutional imbalance in the electoral system.
- The bill proposes to increase the threshold for abolishing Māori seats from a simple majority to a supermajority of 75 percent.
- The bill also includes provisions to allow Māori voters to switch rolls at any time and to vote on a different roll for local elections.
- The introduction of the bill is seen as an attempt to address the undemocratic nature of the current electoral settings, which prejudice Māori in the electoral system.
Introduction to the Bill
The Green Party has put forward a member’s bill to entrench Māori seats into law, arguing that the current electoral settings are undemocratic. The bill, in the name of the party’s Māori Development spokesperson Hūhana Lyndon, was announced at Rātana celebrations and aims to correct a constitutional imbalance in the treatment of Māori seats. According to Lyndon, the current system is flawed, as general electorate seats are entrenched, while Māori seats are not. This, she argues, prejudices Māori in the electoral system and is not democratic.
The Current State of Māori Seats
Māori seats can currently be abolished by a simple majority, which is seen as a major concern by the Green Party. This means that the representation of Māori in the electoral system can be easily undermined, which is not in line with democratic principles. The party argues that this is a constitutional imbalance that needs to be addressed, and that Māori seats should be given the same level of protection as general electorate seats. By entrenching Māori seats, the party hopes to ensure that the representation of Māori is safeguarded and that their voices are heard in the electoral system.
Proposed Changes to the Electoral System
Lyndon’s member’s bill proposes a law change to increase the threshold for abolishing Māori seats to a supermajority of 75 percent. This change has been sought before, through a member’s bill in the name of former Labour MP Rino Tirikatene, but was voted down at second reading in late 2019. The proposed change is seen as a way to ensure that any changes to the electoral system are made with the support of a significant majority, rather than a simple majority. This, the party argues, will help to protect the representation of Māori and ensure that their voices are heard.
Additional Provisions in the Bill
The member’s bill also includes proposals to allow Māori voters to switch rolls at any time and to vote on a different roll for local elections. These provisions are based on the recommendations of the Independent Electoral Review 2023 and are seen as a way to increase the flexibility and choice of Māori voters. By allowing Māori voters to switch rolls at any time, the party hopes to make it easier for them to participate in the electoral system and to have their voices heard. The provision to vote on a different roll for local elections is also seen as a way to increase the representation of Māori at the local level.
The Process for Introducing the Bill
As with all members’ bills, Lyndon’s bill must be drawn from the biscuit tin to be read a first time in the House. This means that the bill will be subject to a random selection process, and its progress will depend on its being drawn from the biscuit tin. If the bill is drawn, it will be read a first time in the House and will then proceed to the select committee stage, where it will be considered in more detail. The party is hopeful that the bill will be successful and that it will help to address the undemocratic nature of the current electoral settings.
Conclusion
The introduction of the member’s bill to entrench Māori seats into law is a significant development in the ongoing debate about the electoral system. The Green Party argues that the current system is flawed and that Māori seats should be given the same level of protection as general electorate seats. The proposed changes to the electoral system, including the increase in the threshold for abolishing Māori seats and the provisions to allow Māori voters to switch rolls at any time and to vote on a different roll for local elections, are seen as a way to address the undemocratic nature of the current system. The success of the bill will depend on its being drawn from the biscuit tin and its progress through the select committee stage, but the party is hopeful that it will help to ensure that the representation of Māori is safeguarded and that their voices are heard in the electoral system.