The recent hīkoi, or protest march, by Te Pāti Māori has shed light on the often-misunderstood world of New Zealand’s electoral system. The movement, led by young Māori politicians such as Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke and Eru Kapa-Kingi, highlighted the importance of education and awareness about the different voting rolls available to Māori voters.

The Māori roll is one of seven electorates that Māori voters can cast their ballots in. However, despite its name, it does not automatically translate to seats in Parliament. Instead, the number of seats allocated to Māori voters depends on the number of votes they receive. This has led to a historical stigma surrounding the Māori seats and a lack of understanding among some Māori about how their votes are counted.

The hīkoi saw a significant increase in people switching between the Māori roll and the general electoral roll, with over 20,000 people changing their rolls since the law change in 2023. This flexibility is seen as a positive development by Te Pāti Māori, as it allows Māori voters to choose which roll best suits them.

However, there is still much work to be done to educate Māori about the electoral system and how their votes are counted. Annie Te One, a spokesperson for Te Pāti Māori, said that “a lot of education” needs to be done to raise awareness among Māori about the recent law change.

The hīkoi also highlighted the importance of social media in spreading awareness and mobilizing support. Maipi-Clarke’s powerful haka performance in Parliament went viral on social media, helping to spread the message and galvanize public support for Te Pāti Māori.

Despite the progress made during the hīkoi, there is still more work to be done to address the historical disparities in voting habits among Māori. Annie Te One emphasized that “Māori still only have the same number of votes as any other person in Aotearoa who is voting. Our votes don’t have more weight than anyone else – it is just the ability to respond to how we want our vote to best translate, whether that’s through the Māori electoral roll or through the general electoral roll.”

In conclusion, the recent hīkoi by Te Pāti Māori has shed light on the complexities of New Zealand’s electoral system and the need for education and awareness among Māori voters. While progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to address the historical disparities in voting habits and ensure that all Māori have an equal say in their country’s future.

The role of social media was also highlighted during this event. Maipi-Clarke’s haka performance was shared widely on social media platforms which helped to raise awareness about the movement. The importance of being informed about our voting rights, particularly among young people, cannot be overstated.

Te Pāti Māori’s success in the recent election highlights the effectiveness of their approach, but also shows that a lot of work still needs to be done to address the historical disparities in voting habits among Māori. Annie Te One emphasized that “education is key” and that it’s essential for all Māori to understand how their votes are counted and how they can best translate their votes into seats.

Ultimately, ensuring that all Māori have an equal say in their country’s future will require continued efforts from Te Pāti Māori and other organizations working towards this goal. By educating and empowering Māori voters, we can work towards a more equitable electoral system that truly represents the diverse needs and aspirations of New Zealand’s Māori people.