Te Pāti Māori Demands Answers After Māori Roll Enrolment Barriers Uncovered

Te Pāti Māori is demanding urgent answers after two separate issues were identified during the final days of the Māori roll option period.

 

The first issue was raised by a member of the public who reported being unable to complete an enrolment onto the Māori roll after encountering an error on the Enrol to Vote platform.

Following enquiries by Te Pāti Māori, a second issue was identified when RealMe verification services also appeared to be unavailable. The Electoral Commission later confirmed disruptions affecting passport verification and RealMe identity services.

With only days remaining for Māori to choose which roll they wish to be on, any barrier to enrolment is unacceptable. Whānau have until 6 August to the Māori roll.

“This is not just a technical issue. This is about the ability of our people to exercise their democratic rights,” said Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi.

“Whānau attempting to enrol or change rolls should not be met with error messages, unavailable verification systems, or uncertainty about whether they can complete the process.”

Te Pāti Māori is concerned that the Electoral Commission only began publicly communicating the issue after it was brought to their attention.

The party is seeking full transparency on:

• When agencies became aware of the problems.
• How many people may have been affected.
• What steps are being taken to ensure no eligible voter is disadvantaged.
• Whether additional measures are required to protect the integrity of the Māori roll option process.

“The responsibility sits with government agencies to ensure voting services are accessible, reliable and available to everyone. Māori participation in democracy should never be compromised by system failures,” says Waititi

Te Pāti Māori encourages all eligible Māori voters to check their enrolment details immediately and contact the Electoral Commission if they experience any difficulties.