Media Release 29 May 2007

Maori encouraged to participate in local authority elections

Some 47,000 people identify as Maori in Manukau city, but they are under-represented as participants in the democratic processes for nominating candidates for, and voting in, local authority elections.

With nominations opening on 27 July for candidates for the local authority elections in October this year, Manukau City Council is trying to encourage greater participation in the democratic process by Maori. The campaign is part of an overall campaign aimed at encouraging greater participation in the democracy by all sectors of Manukau’s diverse communities.

An advertising promotion from now until the elections will encourage Maori to stand as candidates for council or community boards (plus Auckland Regional Council, Counties Manukau Health Board and local licensing trusts) and, later, to get Maori to exercise their democratic right to vote.

Manager Treaty Unit Moana Herewini said not only were Maori under represented as members of these organisations overall, especially in decision-making processes, in comparison to their proportion of the population, they were also thought to be low level participants in the voting process.

“We’re going to run an awareness raising campaign via public hui and an advertising programme about the importance of local authority work in people’s every day lives – and the various ways that Council impacts on Maori such as the quality of our water, and local recreation facilities for our children, to ensuring that development of our city takes into account the cultural and social values of tangata whenua.”

The campaign will involve various promotions targeting Maori communities throughout Manukau, including public hui where people can come and learn more about the role of councils and community boards and how to stand as a candidate.

The next scheduled hui will be at:

Manurewa Marae
81 Finlayson Avenue
Manurewa
Manukau city
Thursday 31 May 6pm-8pm

And

Keall House
Uxbridge Road
Howick
Thursday 7 June 6pm-8pm

ENDS

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