Latest news with #HoneMatthews
Scoop
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Law Change Prompts Spike In Māori Electoral Roll Registrations
Thousands of voters have taken advantage of a law change allowing Māori voters to switch between the general and Māori electoral roll more frequently. Before 2023, the switch was restricted to once every 5-6 years, but it can now be done anytime, except in the three months before an election. Latest Electoral Commission figures show, since April 2023, almost 31,000 voters have switched to the Māori roll and more than 25,000 first-time voters have gone for the Māori electoral option. Fewer are moving the other way. Just over 20,000 voters of Māori descent changed to the general roll, with about 17,000 new voters picking that option. Commission chief Māori advisor Hone Matthews said more than 44,000 voters would be eligible to participate in the upcoming Tamaki Makaurau by-election. "Although a date hasn't been set yet, the government has put a by-election on notice, so the rolls have been frozen, but more than 40,000 people are eligible to cast a vote and a high proportion - around 40 percent - could be classified as rangatahi." Matthews said the law change removed a barrier for Māori voters and engagement, which had led to a boost in engagement on and offshore. "We've continued to see steady growth across all the Māori electorates and, according to our numbers at the moment, the two with the biggest jump are Te Tai Tonga and Te Tai Hauāuru," Since the law change, the number of eligible voters living overseas and registering to vote across all Māori electorates had almost doubled. Matthews said continuing to engage effectively with Maori communities was a vital priority to maintaining the momentum of voters participating in the electoral process. "We try to engage with Māori voters, using every source and every network available to get as much accurate and clear information as possible out to our communities, because the system, as a whole, can be extremely confusing, if the right guidance and support isn't available." The commission hopes to continue encouraging Māori engagement in the electoral process, highlighting the potential impact the growing Māori population could have on future elections. "Your roll choice may also influence the number of Māori electorates," Matthews said. "The number of people enrolled on the Māori roll could mean that the number of Māori electorates increases, decreases or stays the same for the 2026 General Election."
Otago Daily Times
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Deadline looms for voters to change rolls
PHOTO: ODT FILES Māori voters who would like to change electoral rolls before the local elections have until July 10 to make their choice. "If you are Māori, you choose the Māori roll or the general roll when you first enrol to vote. After that, you can change rolls at any time except in the three months before an election," Electoral Commission chief adviser Māori Hone Matthews said. "You can change the roll you're on for the local elections up until July 10. You can't switch rolls in the three months before the local elections on October 11." "The local elections are when we vote for the people who represent us on our city, district and regional councils. Make sure you're enrolled so you can have your say. "If you're on the Māori roll and your council has Māori wards, you'll vote in a Māori ward. If you're on the general roll or your council doesn't have Māori wards, you'll vote in a general ward." With no Māori ward in Waitaki, those registered on the Māori roll will be able to vote in the ward they live in. To date in Waitaki, 1431 voters of Māori descent are enrolled to vote, 911 on the general roll and 520 on the Māori roll. While the number of people eligible for the Māori roll is not available, for the whole district 84.36% of the eligible voting population is registered on either the general or Māori roll, leaving 3098 people unregistered. "The elections are run by councils and it's a postal vote. Check your address is up to date so you receive voting papers from your local council in the mail," Mr Matthews said. "Go to to enrol, check your details, or change your roll type."
Scoop
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Local Elections: Deadline Nears For Switching Between Māori And General Rolls
Māori voters have until July 10 to change electoral rolls before the local elections. Voters of Māori descent choose between the Māori roll or the general roll when they first enrol to vote. After that they can change between the Māori roll or general roll at any time except in the three months before an election. Electoral Commission Chief Advisor Māori, Hone Matthews, said Māori voters could not switch rolls in the three months before the local elections on 11 October. "The local elections are when we vote for the people who represent us on our city, district and regional councils. Make sure you're enrolled so you can have your say. "If you're on the Māori roll and your council has Māori wards, you'll vote in a Māori ward. If you're on the general roll or your council doesn't have Māori wards, you'll vote in a general ward. "The elections are run by councils and it's a postal vote. Check your address is up to date so you receive voting papers from your local council in the mail," he said. Voting documents for the local elections will be delivered from 9-22 September. The last day for posting votes by mail is 7 October. After this date votes must be returned to council's ballot boxes. Election day is 11 October. 50 years of the Māori Electoral Option 2025 marks 50 years of the Māori Electoral Option, which is the choice for Māori between the Māori roll and the general roll. The Electoral Amendment Act passed in 1975 defined Māori as a person of New Zealand Māori descent and means anyone who is Māori has the option of enrolling to vote on either roll. "General roll or Māori roll, it's your choice. He mana tō te kōwhiri - your choice has mana," Matthews said.
RNZ News
23-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Local elections: Deadline nears for switching between Māori and general rolls
Voters of Māori descent choose between the Māori roll or the general roll when they first enrol to vote Photo: RNZ / Kymberlee Fernandes Māori voters have until July 10 to change electoral rolls before the local elections. Voters of Māori descent choose between the Māori roll or the general roll when they first enrol to vote. After that they can change between the Māori roll or general roll at any time except in the three months before an election. Electoral Commission Chief Advisor Māori, Hone Matthews, said Māori voters could not switch rolls in the three months before the local elections on 11 October. "The local elections are when we vote for the people who represent us on our city, district and regional councils. Make sure you're enrolled so you can have your say. "If you're on the Māori roll and your council has Māori wards, you'll vote in a Māori ward. If you're on the general roll or your council doesn't have Māori wards, you'll vote in a general ward. "The elections are run by councils and it's a postal vote. Check your address is up to date so you receive voting papers from your local council in the mail," he said. Voting documents for the local elections will be delivered from 9-22 September. The last day for posting votes by mail is 7 October. After this date votes must be returned to council's ballot boxes. Election day is 11 October. Read more: Explainer: Local elections - what they are, when they are and how they work 2025 marks 50 years of the Māori Electoral Option, which is the choice for Māori between the Māori roll and the general roll. The Electoral Amendment Act passed in 1975 defined Māori as a person of New Zealand Māori descent and means anyone who is Māori has the option of enrolling to vote on either roll. "General roll or Māori roll, it's your choice. He mana tō te kōwhiri - your choice has mana," Matthews said.
