May 16, 2023
Where, how and why Māori vote will decide 2023 election
Posted On May 16, 2023
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The latest Newshub Poll repeats what previous Polls have told us, that the Māori vote in 2023 will decide the election.
Māori have shown themselves to be one of the most tactical voting blocks in the NZ electorate and where, how and why Māori vote this year will decide the Government.
Part of this is simple demographics, the future is browner and younger, this election will be the first one ever where Millenials and Gen Xers are a larger voting block than Boomers.
Part of it is the ability to connect via social media, part of it is a resurgent Māori Party and part of it is a younger pakeha generation who don’t see co-governance as an existential race war.
The ability of Labour’s Māori caucus to gain over $3billion in extra funding for Māori programs is also a strong reason for participation.
I suspect the way the Right have denigrated Māori over the last 3 years has also ensured a backlash amongst many voters appalled at the way Māori have been scapegoated.
ACT are promising this election to repeal the Treaty, rewrite it, and then force it onto the country! If that doesn’t motivate Māori voters, I’m not sure what will.
The challenge for a Labour led minority Government with supply and confidence from the Māori Party is to pass policy that makes an immediate difference to the lives of those who vote for it.
People want change, the politicians are the ones dragging their heels.