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Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Meddling with the franchise so that ‘their' people vote
Vote here . . . Well, some of you anyway. PHOTO: ODT FILES When governments start meddling with the electoral system, we should all be on high alert. Democracies, especially those that rely heavily on convention rather than written constitutions, are only as strong as they are stable and open. Any proposed changes should be carefully and independently scrutinised, and only implemented with the utmost care. This is especially crucial when those changes constrain or restrict our precious universal franchise. Recent concerns over the number of people, both Māori and non-Māori, removed or deferred from the electoral roll highlight how vigilant we can, and should be, about our voting rights. While it is good that more people are now checking their enrolment details, we should be able to trust the Electoral Commission to maintain a stable and accurate roll. That trust is eroding under this government. We like to think fondly of New Zealand as having a stable and open democratic system. We proudly proclaim being the first country to grant women the vote in 1893. We even look down on Australia, noting that Māori men gained suffrage in 1867 and Māori women in 1893. But our franchise history is by no means perfect. It has always been subject to political judgements about who was deemed "worthy" of voting. That said, changes to enrolment and voting laws over the last century have mostly focused on expanding the franchise, not restricting it. It took 40 years from New Zealand's first election in 1853 for women to gain voting rights in 1893 — but they were not granted full political rights (the ability to both vote and stand for election) until 1919. The voting age shifted from 21 in 1853 to 20 in 1969, then to 18 in 1974. It has not changed in 50 years, despite strong advocacy and independent advice urging the inclusion of 16 and 17-year-olds. For Māori, voting rights have very slowly improved. Māori men gained suffrage in 1867 and all Māori had the right to choose between the general or Māori roll from 1975. However, the ability to switch rolls remains restricted, with Māori still barred from changing rolls in the three months before an election. There has never been a good reason for this constraint. Prisoners have suffered the worst of political flip-flopping on voting rights. No, they could not vote from 1853, then Yes they could from 1975. No from 1977, Yes if sentenced to less than three years from 1993, No from 2010, Yes if sentenced to less than three years from 2020, and now No again from 2025. Stripping prisoners of voting rights as an extra, hidden punishment is a constitutional and legal disgrace. While incarcerated, they remain citizens. The evidence shows that once removed from the roll, few ever re-enrol. They are the only group to have suffrage explicitly revoked by law. Every other electoral change has expanded voting access and rights. Until now that is. The coalition government's proposed electoral roll changes amount to a deliberate effort to exclude thousands of voters, creating a deeply discriminatory system. The issue has been underscored by reforms that reek of targeted disenfranchisement, evident in the deputy prime minister's own derogatory language directed at some voters. These reforms represent the first major legislative restrictions on voting rights in over a century. They would strip prisoners of voting rights (again) and close the electoral roll two weeks before election day. The government's own officials admit this will disenfranchise 100,000 New Zealanders. Their justification? That counting special votes takes too long. Frankly, the post-election interregnum is not the catastrophe they claim. Many of us enjoy the brief respite from frenetic campaigning and the minimal press releases while Parliament is not sitting. We have a caretaker government but they just cannot do much. That is no bad thing. Some people might get grumpy that it takes a couple of weeks to know if the government is blue or red, but it creates no great constitutional crisis. This manufactured rationale is entirely self-serving. Especially when there is a better alternative. The 2023 Independent Electoral Review proposed modernising the Electoral Commission's system with live electronic roll mark-offs, replacing the antiquated paper, pen-and-ruler method. This would help to reduce special votes and speed up counting, without purging citizens from the electoral roll. But this government does not want more people voting. They do not want efficiency or fairness. They only want "their" people voting — and they are rigging the system to make it happen. ■ Metiria Stanton Turei is a senior law lecturer at the University of Otago and a former Green Party MP and co-leader.
Otago Daily Times
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Opening of FBI office in Wellington ‘slightly ironic'
The establishment of a permanent FBI office in Wellington has been described by a Dunedin international relations authority as "slightly ironic", given the Trump administration is going out of its way to "undermine the rule of law internationally". Kash Patel. PHOTO: ODT FILES FBI director Kash Patel officially opened the new legal attache office at the United States embassy yesterday. He is the most senior member of the US administration to visit New Zealand since the start of President Donald Trump's second term in office. Minister Responsible for the GCSB and NZSIS Judith Collins and Police Minister Mark Mitchell said the opening of the office demonstrated the strength of the Five Eyes partnership and enhanced the safety and security of New Zealanders. "We exchanged a range of insights on areas such as transnational organised crime, counter-terrorism, cybersecurity and espionage," Ms Collins said. Mr Mitchell said it should send a clear message to criminals whose offending caused harm in our communities that wherever they were, they could not hide behind an international border. "New Zealand police are continually working with their overseas counterparts like the FBI to catch those engaged in illegal, harmful activities such as drug smuggling and online child exploitation, as well disrupting and preventing this offending from happening in the first place." Robert Patman. PHOTO: ODT FILES University of Otago professor of international relations Robert Patman said the move was being hailed by both Ms Collins and Mr Patel as a way to strengthen the rule of law internationally. But a lot of people were concerned it might actually be an intrusion by the US, Prof Patman said. "The thing that's slightly ironic about it is that the Trump administration doesn't share our world view and doesn't believe in an international rules-based order as we understand it. "The United States itself, with its territorial claims against Canada, against Greenland, its imposition of tariffs, have amongst other things actually undermined the rule of law internationally. "So it seems a selective approach to law enforcement or rules enforcement." Prof Patman said when it came to law enforcement, "you do have to walk the talk". "Adherence to rules and laws starts at the very top, and threatening a country with annexation such as the Trump administration has with Canada — another Five Eyes member — doesn't really set a very inspiring example for the Five Eyes. "It seems to me, trade protectionism — some of the unilateral imposition of tariffs — is not consistent with the observance of a rules-based order. "If you're going to take legal processes seriously, you actually have to walk the talk with respect to international law."
Otago Daily Times
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Prats aplenty in chaotic, witty whodunit
The Fire Station Theatre in Mosgiel. PHOTO: ODT FILES I admit to being a regular fan of TV "whodunits", so was very happy when invited to review the Sunday matinee of Death by Fatal Murder, a Taieri Dramatic Society production currently mid-season at Fire Station Theatre, Mosgiel. The play is loosely based on an Agatha Christie novel and is considered a spoof, one of a trilogy written by Peter Gordon. The entire action takes place in a very authentic 1940s drawing-room set (which reminded me of my grandmother's sitting-room) designed by production and stage manager Christine Wilson. Directed by Alison Ayers, the incompetent, bumbling Defective Inspector Pratt (Matt Brennan) is called to Bagshot House where he leads a murder investigation aided by Constable Thomkins (Tabitha Littlejohn) and local amateur sleuth Miss Joan Maple, a dear little old lady excellently played by Gloria Harris. The first act is an hour long and rather chaotic and convoluted but all the "red herrings" are dismissed in the second act and the storyline is brought to a climax. The cast of eight all have prominence, and their roles are appropriately portrayed throughout. Other characters are the owner of the house Nancy Allwright (Maxine Sannum), her husband Squadron Leader Roger Allwright (John Rowe), Ginny Farquhar (Hannah Schoullar), Enzo Garibaldi an Italian gigolo (Kaiser Coles) and Welsh clairvoyant Blodwyn Morgan (Lorraine Johnston). The inspector is indeed an incompetent blundering prat and Brennan's lines, heavily overlaid with malapropisms and puns were delivered with clarity and precision throughout, causing the attentive audience to groan or chuckle as appropriate. Blodwyn suggests conducting a seance and makes contact with a Scottish poltergeist called Dougal McDougal. This calls for her strong Welsh accent to alternate with that of the voice of an elderly Scotsman, creating more humour and chaos but giving clues to the eventual outcome of whodunit. Amateur theatrics are indeed alive and thriving in Mosgiel and this was an enjoyable presentation from a very dedicated cast and production team. The season continues later this week from Friday to Sunday.
Otago Daily Times
16-07-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Marae to host wellbeing hui
Araiteuru Marae manager Tania Williams with her mokopuna at an event held at the marae in 2024. PHOTO: ODT FILES Araiteuru Marae will host a health and wellbeing hui led by New Image health products company chairman Graeme Clegg tonight. Mr Clegg will share the experience of a recent major health challenge and what he learned on his journey that will be of benefit to others. Araiteuru Marae manager Tania Williams said in a statement the talk would be aimed at benefiting Māori communities by sharing life-changing insights about how to support the immune system, slow the ageing process, and prepare for future health challenges. "Too often, Māori are left out of conversations about cutting-edge wellness. "This is our chance to be informed, empowered, and connected. "Graeme will speak openly about his personal experience, the new science behind wellness, and practical steps we can all take to strengthen our health and future. "This is a gathering of learning, laughter and hope. We warmly welcome kaumātua, pakeke, rangatahi – everyone who values hauora and wants to uplift our people." The session will be held from 7pm tonight at Araiteuru Marae, Shetland St. — APL
Otago Daily Times
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
‘No place' for racism, Bluff Rugby Club says
Bluff rugby team. PHOTO: ODT FILES Bluff Rugby Club has broken its silence, saying it wants Tokanui club supporters held accountable for racist comments made at a match between the teams earlier this month. In an official statement released yesterday, the club said racial slurs toward the team had not been addressed in any of the discussions after Rugby Southland Referees refused to provide officials for its game last weekend. The club admitted a supporter came on to the field twice to remonstrate with the referee but he was quickly ushered away by the team. The club said players of the predominantly Māori and Pacific Island Bluff team were frequently targets of derogatory remarks attacking their identity and culture. "We will not tolerate racism or discrimination. There is no place for it in our club, or in rugby as a whole." During the June 7 game, a Bluff club supporter was removed from the field after directing offensive language at the referee. The same person resumed their verbal tirade after the final whistle. "On both occasions, our team captain and senior player intervened immediately and the individual left without resistance. We are proud of how our players responded in the moment." The game between Bluff and Tokanui was the third Southland game in three weeks to experience referee-related issues, the statement said. "We are concerned about how this incident has been portrayed. The narrative that has emerged has led to public backlash and reputational harm, despite our efforts to address the matter appropriately at the time and engage constructively since." The statement said none of the club's players were involved yet they were unfortunately made an example of. "This decision opened the door to harmful and unfounded commentary, based more on assumption than fact. We are disappointed by how quickly a narrative took hold, one that does not reflect the actions or values of our club. This has highlighted deeper assumptions some may hold about our team and community, and we believe it's important to question and reflect on those. "We are also deeply concerned that racist comments made by some opposition supporters and players during the match have gone unaddressed. "While not the initial cause of conflict, these remarks contributed to the atmosphere of tension and hurt." The statement said the Bluff club remained committed to working with Rugby Southland and the referees' association. "Our players and club members, like our referees, are people too and their wellbeing is ours to protect. We hope the wider rugby community can move forward with ... respect, accountability, and unity." The club had stayed silent to let the truth come out but the false narrative now circulating had gone too far, it said. "We ask for fairness and understanding." The club's matches were recorded from kickoff to post-match handshakes, and anyone with concerns could view the footage. The Otago Daily Times has not been able to contact a Tokanui Rugby Club representative or Rugby Southland chief executive Hua Tamariki for their response to the Bluff club statement. Rugby Southland Referees chairman Andrew Rowland told the Otago Daily Times earlier this week regular spectator and coach misconduct reports were filed from all grades of the sport. "We deal with this every week. There probably aren't too many things that we haven't heard spoken to us over the years." Players' family members "are hearing people on the sideline calling them all sorts of names". A culture change was needed because the sport was being affected, Mr Rowland said.
