June 12, 2014
Maori encouraged to vote
Whanau are being encouraged to get members on to the electoral roll and voting in September’s general election.
Vote Maori Vote started as a whanau ora project in Waiariki, and it’s gathering momementum through a Facebook page and other activities.
Spokesperson Tania Hodges says at the least election more than half the eligible Maori in Waiariki did not vote.
She says nothing will change if Maori don’t participate in the democratic system.
"Now if you think that the status quo is fine with the current Government or any Government, then that’s your choice, but not voting is not making a choice. Get your whanau, get your friends whether it be in your workplace, the marae, the sports club or kapa haka or whatever, if we all just talk to five people each and get five new people on to the electoral roll, encourage them to vote in September, I think it would make a significant difference," Ms Hodges says.
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