Latest news with #TāmakiMakaurauBy-Election
Otago Daily Times
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Te Pāti Māori takes court action over electoral roll concerns
By Anneke Smith and Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira of RNZ Te Pāti Māori says it has filed urgent proceedings in the High Court over reports people have been removed from the electoral roll or shifted off the Māori roll. It is not yet clear what the nature of the court action is. The party has been approached by RNZ today for clarification. RNZ has spoken to several affected people, including Taryn Utiger, who could not find herself on the Māori roll despite switching to it last year. She said she updated her details a month ago and called the Electoral Commission to double check she was all set to vote. "They were like, yup ka pai you're on the Māori electorate roll, everything's good to go, you will be able to vote in the local body elections and the referendum. I was like cool, thought that was the end of it, everything confirmed. Then I logged in last night and nothing." Utiger said she then phoned the commission, who told her she was on the dormant role because they had not heard from her in a while and also suggested that she re-enrol. "I was like, excuse me, I'm a former political journalist. You have heard from me... we spoke three weeks ago. I'm not impressed about this at all. "I asked for a manager to call me back because I feel like they have done this to me because I changed to the Māori electorate roll and if that is the case, that's really not okay." The Electoral Commission has said there were no technical problems with the rolls. It said those who can't find their details may not be entering the correct information or may be on the dormant role, which applies to people who have not communicated with the commission for three years. Te Pāti Māori has sent formal letters to the Electoral Commission, the Minister of Justice, and the Ombudsman demanding urgent action, including a full investigation of the enrolment system and an extension for registrations in the upcoming Tāmaki Makaurau By-Election. "We are witnessing what can only be described as voter suppression. Our whānau are being stripped of their democratic rights in silence," said Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. Labour and the Greens have expressed concern about reports people cannot find themselves on the roll. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said he was also concerned about them but the Electoral Commission had advised him as recently as this morning there was no issue. "Look, I just think it's very easy for people to make claims. We have an Electoral Commission that has assured us that there is nothing unusual going on. But if anybody has any hard evidence, I encourage them to talk to the Electoral Commission."
Scoop
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Te Pāti Māori Takes Legal Action Over Māori Voter Deregistration
Te Pāti Māori has filed urgent proceedings in the High Court following alarming reports that Māori across the motu have been removed from the electoral roll or shifted off the Māori roll, without their knowledge, consent, or due process. 'We are witnessing what can only be described as voter suppression. Our whānau are being stripped of their democratic rights in silence' said Te Pāti Māori Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. The party has sent formal letters to the Electoral Commission, the Minister of Justice, and the Ombudsman demanding urgent action, including a full investigation of the enrolment system and an extension for registrations in the upcoming Tāmaki Makaurau By-Election. 'We are calling for immediate corrective action and a halt to the Government's electoral law reforms which, even according to the Attorney-General, breach human rights' added Te Pāti Māori Co-leader, Rawiri Waititi. Te Pāti Māori warns that failure to act will undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process and breach the Crown's obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 'We will not stand by while our people are disenfranchised' said Ngarewa-Packer. 'If no remedy is offered, we will escalate this through the courts and consider action in the Waitangi Tribunal.'
