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Last chance to make roll choice in Māori Option

Jul 19, 2018 | Media release

Time is running out for Māori voters to choose which electoral roll they want to be on – the Māori roll or the general roll.

Voters of Māori descent can only make the choice between rolls when they first enrol to vote, and during the Māori Electoral Option which is held every five or six years and is taking place now.  The Option started in April and closes in two weeks on Thursday 2 August.

“This is the last chance Māori voters have to change rolls, if they wish to,” says Mandy Bohté, National Manager of Enrolment and Community Engagement.  “The next opportunity will be in 2024, so the choice you make now decides which roll you will be on for the next two general elections.”

Voters on the Māori roll vote for a candidate in the Māori electorate they live in, and voters on the general roll vote for a candidate in the general electorate they live in.  Whichever roll they are on, they will choose from the same list of political parties when casting their party vote. 

“If you are happy with the roll you’re on, you don’t need to do anything.  But if you would like to change from the general roll to the Māori roll, or the Māori roll to the general roll, now is your time to choose,” says Ms Bohté.

Voters who wish to change roll types can do so by returning the letter in the information pack sent to Māori voters in April, or by filling in a new enrolment form.  The fastest way to return a form is to scan or photograph it and either email it to maorioption@elections.org.nz, or upload it at www.maorioption.org.nz.  Forms can also be returned by mail and should be put in the post by 27 July to ensure they arrive in time.   

For more information or to request an enrolment form, visit www.maorioption.org.nz, or call 0800 36 76 56.

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