Maori voters urged to eject National MPs

Maori are being urged to enrol on the general roll to kick National MPs John Carter and Phil Heatley out of their seats at the next election.

Mana Maori Party leader Angeline Greensill hopes Maori will vote out MPs who "do not help race relations in this country".

Ms Greensill lumps Northland MP Mr Carter and Whangarei MP Mr Heatley in this category, but the MPs have countered by saying her strategy could actually strengthen their position.

Ms Greensill said there needed to be a wake-up call to MPs "who attack Maori by saying we get all these special rights".

"John Carter has been sitting up there for years (in a safe seat), but a lot of people on the general roll can band together and decide his future."

Ms Greensill said she would outline the strategy at a foreshore and seabed hui to be held at Kareponia Marae, Awanui, on March 13.

"Let's look at giving our votes to the people we think will represent our community best. And that might be a pakeha. But people who create division are not wanted," she said.

"They get in because our people don't vote. We want to get more Maori to vote. There's about 60 per cent of Maori who don't bother (to vote)."

Mr Carter, who last election had the largest majority of any National MP of almost 7000, said he would never ignore issues that threatened his standing.

"But if it's her intention to encourage more people to vote then I can't rail against that. And if she is going to encourage more people to become interested in politics then that's fine," he said.

"That would give me the opportunity to put my point of view to them. My Northland electorate has the highest number of Maori on its roll in any general electorate in the country - about 6000."

Mr Carter said a significant number of those Maori voted for him and more Maori enrolling in the electorate could be to his advantage.

"Many of those are card-carrying members of the National Party and give me a good chunk of their votes."

Mr Carter said National's recent call for race-based funding to end had struck a chord with most people.

Mr Heatley said Ms Greensill could be in for a "short, sharp shock" if her strategy was successful.

"Many Maori actually believe it's condescending and patronising that the Government throws money at them just because of the colour of their skin."

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)