June 03, 2014
Efforts mount to engage Maori voters
A group of Rotorua women are encouraging Maori to get out and vote in September’s general election.
Vote Maori Vote spokesperson Christina Diamond says only 60 percent of the 33,000 people enrolled in Waiariki voted last election.
She says many of those not voting are rangatahi, so the group is looking at using Facebook and other new media.
Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says low youth and Maori turn-out is a serious issue facing democracy.
He says rangatahi have the power to make a difference if they vote, and in the Maori seats they could shape the make-up of the next government.
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