Letter: Gisborne and democracy

Voter enrollments in Gisborne. Graphic / Figure NZ- Electoral Commission

Election enrolment data and the previous election result show more than half of the district is not getting a say in how its affairs are run.

Anomalies have appeared because of the introduction of Māori wards and the choice between Māori and General rolls.

Actual voter turnout further skews the situation for democratic representation, which usually means: “one person, one vote” and “by the people, for the people” - that is, ALL the people, not just some.

Five Māori wards were introduced for the 2022 election and, as was pointed out, even then Māori citizens had an effective numerical vote.

The local population has risen to around 53,000 and Māori number over 29,000 - more than half. An estimated 18,000 or more are eligible to vote.

However, Māori enrolments fall off with age, but increase with age in the General section. (see graphic)

The Māori roll has increased in the age groups up to the mid-40s: the latest data shows more than 11,800 on the Māori roll, or a thousand more than in 2022.

Conversely, the General roll has decreased by more than 600 - 22,400 in the last available total.

The numbers show thousands of residents are not enrolling and of those that do, many do not actually vote.

In 2022, about 3650 on the Māori roll voted - a turnout of less than 34% against the General voter turnout of almost 48%.

The five Māori wards were decided by an average of 642 votes, while the General wards were decided by an average of 1314 votes - almost twice as many.

It would appear it is easier to win a Māori ward, and that far fewer people are deciding those seats compared to the General council seats.

Further, in the last election the entire council was elected by less than half of the electorate.

If residents want a truly representative council, they should not allow a minority to control things.

It may well be time to call for compulsory voting, and to require a minimum majority percentage of the vote before anyone occupies a council seat.

Roger Handford

Gisborne

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