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A Māori political scientist says the choice of political roll comes down to who you want to vote for.
The Māori option remains open until July 13, although new voters can register up until the election.
Over the past two months 5,371 voters of Maori descent have moved from the general roll to the Māori roll, and 4,674 from the Māori roll to the general roll.
There have been 1,319 new enrolments on the Māori roll and 969 new enrolments on the general roll.
That’s a net increase in the Maori roll of 1047 voters.
Another 14,000 people have taken the opportunity to update their details on the electoral roll, such as a change of address.
Lindsay Te Ata o Tū MacDonald, a senior lecturer at the University of Canterbury, say while in some cases the choice of roll is about identity, it’s also about making a difference on an electorate.
“In the East Coast for example, you might want to vote for Kiri Allen and you need to be on the general roll, and in Tamaki Makaurau you might want to be on the Maori roll so you can have a deciding vote. Last time Peeni Henare only won by about 900 votes,” he says.
Dr McDonald says whatever their preferred candidate, it’s the party vote that people cast which will determine who will form the next Government.
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