The Mighty Maori Party – M.M.P
Dec 28, 2015
What is the motivation for being in Parliament?
The people put us there A belief that we can do better A desire to contribute to the nation in a positive
way The survival of Maori as a people. POWER to influence change
To get that POWER, it comes down to numbers in Parliament
Power sharing – Maori efforts
Te Tiriti o Waitangi Petitions Marches War/ Passive resistance – Orakau/ Parihaka Duplicating “European” institutions. Kingitanga Joining political parties Prophetic movements – Ringatu, Ratana Political Movements – Mana Motuhake
N.Z Constitution Act 1852
Over 21 years of age Male Have individual land title
When the balance of power was achieved, a new law is introduced..
Maori Representation Act 1867
Maori population (56,000) 4 seats. European population (171,000) 72 seats Created as a response to the Kingitanga and the outbreak
of war A way of amalgamating Mäori into political process so they
felt they had a voice without jeopardising European control Served to promote European political interests. In some
seats they were becoming outnumbered Entitled to 15 seats out of 72
Maori Representation
1852. N.Z Constitution Act 1867. Maori Representation Act 1967. Possible for non Maori to contest Maori seats
and Maori to contest non Maori seats 1893-1975. Those with more than half Maori descent
were not allowed to vote on European electorate 1975. A person with some degree of Maori can
chose to vote in Maori or general electorate
Maori seats
Move to MMP changed the political environment
1996 – 4 seats 2002 – 7 seats Number of seats is determined by number of
Maori registered on Maori roll
Maori Electoral Status – 2014
Maori on General Roll – 45% Maori on Maori Roll – 55% There are now 462,000 Maori eligible to vote 270,000 voted at last election It is possible that almost 200,000 people still are not
enrolled to vote. 40,000 voters taken from Maori roll Potential for 12-14 seats if all Maori were on Maori Roll
and if captured by one party
Maori Representation
Get the opportunity to change rolls after each census (5 Years - 2013).
4 month opportunity Said to be about 22 Maori MPs Cannot assume that they/ we all feel/vote the
same Must follow party lines
Maori Electorates
Tai Tokerau Tamakimakaurau Hauraki-Waikato Waiariki Te Tai Hauauru Ikaroa Rawhiti Te Tai Tonga
Hone Harawira (M) Dr Pita Sharples (MP) Nanaia Mahuta (L) Te Ururoa Flavell (MP) Tariana Turia (MP) Meka Whaitiri (L) Rino Tirikatene (MP)
Parliament has….
Usually 120 Seats ( Currently 121) 63 General Seats 7 Maori Seats 50 List Seats Majority is at least 61 votes to pass legislation/ laws Convention that you vote with your party on ALL votes. Exception is “conscience” votes. i.e matters to do with
Alcohol, capital punishment, homosexual law reform, prostitution, gambling, adoption, abortion, pornography, and smoking in public places
Parliament currently looks like…
National – 59 United Future-Dunne 1 ACT – John Banks 1
Total - 61
3
Labour – 34 Greens – 14 NZ First - 7 Mana – 1 Brendon Horan 1
Total - 57
If in Government…
Able to implement own policy platform Able to change existing policy platform Make law Change law
All comes down to votes
In order to pass laws…
Government – you have the majority, you make or amend laws
Private Member – draw of all members who place Bills in ballot - Gambling Harm Reduction Amendment Bill
Local Bills – Removal of Repeat Offenders from CBD in Hamilton
7th July 2004 Seabed and Foreshore Act 2004 Tariana leaves Labour Maori Party is set up to allow Tariana to have a party
banner to run under in by-election By election victory Maori Party structure set up and preparation for general
election in 2005 Win four seats in opposition
In 2008,
invited to participate in Relationship Accord including Confidence and Supply agreement with National Party
“Confidence” provide votes to pass budget “Supply”, the budget to allow the Government
to govern through Ministries.
Why did the PM pick the Maori Party to negotiate and agreement?
A good look for the country – embodiment of the Treaty principle
An insurance policy to ensure stable Government Felt that we could make a valuable contribution
to “their look” Had nothing to lose… The principle of mana enhancing is something
that he understands…
Key features of Relationship Accord
“Mana Enhancing” Only have to vote for the budget Agree to disagree No surprises Ministerial positions in negotiated portfolios Implementation of key policy lines from
manifesto Ability to engage at Ministerial level with all
Ministers and Prime Minister
Key features of Relationship Accord - Ministerials
Tariana Turia Whanau Ora Disabilities
Associate Housing Associate Health Associate Social Development Associate Tertiary Education,
Skills and Employment
Dr Pita Sharples Maori Affairs
Associate Corrections Associate Education
Key features of Relationship Accord
Policy PrioritiesThe National Party and the Māori Party will work together to progress policy priorities as and where agreement can be found
Collective ResponsibilityThe Māori Party agree to be bound by collective responsibility in relation to their Associate Minister responsibilities. When the Māori Party Ministers speak about issues within their portfolios, they will speak for the Government.
Key features of Relationship Accord
Procedural MotionsThe Māori Party agrees that it will support the National-led government on procedural motions in the House and in Select Committees
Commitments – in considering legislation, it is in the context of..
The survival of Maori as a peopleDefend Maori rightsAdvance Maori aspirations and is in the best interests of the nationTe Pani me te Rawa koreWhether it will benefit MaoriKo te nohotahi i te Paremata (relationship with other parties)Is it in our tribal history?Consultation - presentation of informationPosition against tikanga Maori
Making a comparison in the vote
- 48th Parliament (2005) Maori Party voted with the opposition (National) 68%
- 49th Parliament (2008) Maori Party voted with the opposition (Labour) 77%
In the 48th Parliament we voted with the Government 81% of the time
In the 49th Parliament we voted with the Government 83% of the time
Benefits of being associated with governing party…Budget
Budget 2009 Budget 2010 Budget 2011 Budget 2012 Budget 2013 Budget 2014
$120.3 mill $286.3 mill $213.55 mill $484.4 mill $1088.6 mill $298.74 mill
Benefits
3000 places in Maori and Pasifica Trade Training 400 Cadetships 1,400 places over 4 years Insulation of houses in low income households $8mill to eliminate violence in families $12mill in Housing Inquiry into Poverty Constitutional review Social hazards
Difficulties
Can never achieve all the expectations The politics of being in a relationship with
National Don’t get all you want. 59 versus 3 Branding – Lack of knowledge about how Parliament works Having a Maori Party - racism