Don’t Be A-Political. Be A-Māori – Te Pati Māori

Te Pāti Māori Co-leader Rawiri Waititi is calling on te iwi Māori across Aotearoa to check their enrolment details and get on the Māori Roll before the Māori Electoral Option closes on Thursday 6th August.

Every single poll over the last 12 months has shown that the Māori electorates will decide the next government.

“The Māori Roll is whakapapa in action. It shapes Māori representation. It strengthens Māori political power. It ensures more unapologetic Māori voices in Parliament,” said Waititi.

“Our tīpuna did not fight for us to sit on the sidelines. They fought for our voice, our rights and for the future of our mokopuna.”

Latest Electoral Commission figures show a majority 302,096 people of Māori descent are enrolled on the Māori Roll, compared with 255,627 on the General Roll.

“For the first time, more Māori are choosing the Māori Roll than the General Roll, that is power in action.”

“This Government has systematically tried to remove Māori rights, Māori representation and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations. Our collective responsibility must be to organise, enrol, vote and grow our political strength.

Waititi said the decision to enrol and vote is ultimately about political influence and protecting future generations.

“The laws affecting our whenua, our reo, our whānau, our workers, and our future are made in Parliament. If we want a different future, we must exercise our political strength at the ballot box.”

Te Pāti Māori is urging all whānau to check their enrolment details now, before the Māori Electoral Option closes on Thursday 6th August.

“If you are Māori, you have a choice. Māori Roll or General Roll. Make a mokopuna decision and join the Māori Roll”

“Being Māori has never been neutral. Our existence is political, our whakapapa is political, our survival is political and our representation is our responsibility.”

“Don’t be a-political. Be a-Māori and vote on the Māori Roll.”