5. DAVE HEREORA (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Justice
What recent reports, if any, has he received on the future of the Māori seats?
Hon MARK BURTON (Minister of Justice) Link to this
I have received a report that outlines the objectives of the Māori electoral option process. Those objectives are that Māori have the opportunity to choose whether they are enrolled on the general roll or the Māori roll and that Māori are encouraged to participate in the democratic process.
I have seen three reports. The first report notes a plan to abolish the Māori seats, the second report states that the seats will be part of the political landscape for some time to come, and the third, principled, report states that the Māori seats will be abolished—well, that is unless the party in question needs the support of the Māori Party. The first report is from the leader of the National Party, and the second and third reports are from his deputy.
Gerry BrownleeCan the Minister confirm that the 1867 legislation that set up the Māori seats intended that they should last for only 5 years, and can he tell us what justification there is for race-based seats in this country some 135 years after they were supposed to go out of existence?
I can say to the member that it has always been the view of this party that the end of the Māori seats, if it should ever come, should come as a result of Māori deciding that they are no longer required. Another member of this House said that the policy has always been that the Māori seats will go when the Māori people choose for them to go—that was said by the National Party’s Tony Ryall between 1992 and 2001 on the subject of the Māori seats. I agree with him.