7 August 2006

Electoral Enrolment Centre

The 2006 Maori Electoral Option is over, with 21,588 Maori changing the type of electoral roll they are on and another 10,280 Maori enrolling for the first time.

The 2006 Maori Electoral Option ran from 3 April until 2 August giving every eligible Maori the opportunity to choose to enrol on the General Electoral Roll or the Maori Electoral Roll.

Key results of the Option:

Overall - An additional 14,914 Maori enrolled on the Maori Roll (new enrolments and net result of roll type changes) - 4,634 fewer Maori enrolled on the General Roll (new enrolments and net result of roll type changes) - A total of 385,977 people who have identified themselves as Maori are now enrolled to vote

Changes to Electoral Roll Type - 14,294 moving from the General Roll to the Maori Roll - 7,294 moving from the Maori Roll to the General Roll

New Enrolments of Maori Descent - 7,914 new enrolments of Maori descent on the Maori Roll - 2,366 new enrolments of Maori descent on the General Roll

"The information from the Maori Electoral Option and the 2006 Census of Population and Dwellings will be used by Statistics New Zealand to determine the number of General and Maori Electorates," says Murray Wicks, National Manager of the Electoral Enrolment Centre.

"The Maori Electoral Option figures cap off an extremely busy and proactive four month Option period," says Mr Wicks. "The Option ran against a backdrop of comprehensive awareness raising about the choice Maori have, and how to take part. This activity has run smoothly and as planned."

Government Statistician, Brian Pink, says he will make an announcement on the number of Maori and General Electorates by early February 2007. This information, together with other data from the 2006 Census, will then be used by the Representation Commission to determine the electorate boundaries. These boundaries will be used for both General and Maori Electorates in the 2008 and 2011 elections. Mr Pink also noted that the number of electorates is calculated in accordance with the requirements of the Electoral Act.

For the 2006, 2001 and 1997 Maori Electoral Option results and an electorate breakdown for the 2006 Maori Electoral Option go to www.elections.org.nz/maori-option-results.html

ENDS

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