2006 Māori Electoral Option - Media Advisory
The 2006 Māori Electoral Option is over, with 21,588 Māori changing the type of electoral roll they are on and another 10,280 Māori enrolling for the first time.
The 2006 Māori Electoral Option ran from 3 April until 2 August giving every eligible Māori the opportunity to choose to enrol on the General Electoral Roll or the Māori Electoral Roll.
Key results of the Option:
Overall
- An additional 14,914 Māori enrolled on the Māori Roll (new enrolments and net result of roll type changes)
- 4,634 fewer Māori enrolled on the General Roll (new enrolments and net result of roll type changes)
- A total of 385,977 people who have identified themselves as Māori are now enrolled to vote
Changes to Electoral Roll Type
- 14,294 moving from the General Roll to the Māori Roll
- 7,294 moving from the Māori Roll to the General Roll
New Enrolments of Māori Descent
- 7,914 new enrolments of Māori descent on the Māori Roll
- 2,366 new enrolments of Māori descent on the General Roll
"The information from the Māori Electoral Option and the 2006 Census of Population and Dwellings will be used by Statistics New Zealand to determine the number of General and Māori Electorates," says Murray Wicks, National Manager of the Electoral Enrolment Centre.
"The Māori Electoral Option figures cap off an extremely busy and proactive four month Option period," says Mr Wicks. "The Option ran against a backdrop of comprehensive awareness raising about the choice Māori have, and how to take part. This activity has run smoothly and as planned."
Government Statistician, Brian Pink, says he will make an announcement on the number of Māori and General Electorates by early February 2007. This information, together with other data from the 2006 Census, will then be used by the Representation Commission to determine the electorate boundaries. These boundaries will be used for both General and Māori Electorates in the 2008 and 2011 elections. Mr Pink also noted that the number of electorates is calculated in accordance with the requirements of the Electoral Act.
For the 2006, 2001 and 1997 Māori Electoral Option results and an electorate breakdown for the 2006 Māori Electoral Option go to [24 http://www.elections.org.nz/maori-option-results.html]