Call to 'get off backsides' and vote

Laziness is to blame for eligible Maori voters not bothering to have their say in elections, a Rotorua kaumatua says.

Putu Mihaka says it's time for Maori to "get off their backsides" and get involved in how New Zealand is run.

The Te Waiariki Purea Trust kaumatua says apathy is the major problem among Maori.

Figures from the 2005 elections show that just 20,794, or 69 per cent, of the 29,950 enrolled on the Maori electoral roll did so. That was well below the 82 per cent national average for the general roll.

"Nowadays people lack the drive to get involved with things which really do have an impact on our lives," Mr Mihaka told The Daily Post. "We sit back and think 'this does not affect me so why should I bother?'. It's laziness.

"Our people need to realise if we want to have a say we have to get out and vote. It's time for Maori to get off their backsides and vote."

Kaumatua leading by example was one way to encourage more Maori to vote, Mr Mihaka said.

"Take your tamariki [children] for support. Vote for whoever you want. As Maori, whanau, hapu and iwi, lets make a difference."

Mr Mihaka said this year's election was a crucial one for Maori.

National wanted to abolish the Maori seats and Maori would "give them the ammunition" to do so if they didn't show up and vote, he said.

Waiariki registrar of electors Kathy Warbrick said a major reason for the lack of interest among Maori was because they thought their vote would not make a difference.

"Everybody's vote is important. [Maori] have to get away from that way of thinking."

Mrs Warbrick said with only two candidates running for the Waiariki seat - Maori Party incumbent Te Ururoa Flavell and Labour's Mita Ririnui - it was crucial Maori got out and voted.

"One vote could influence the outcome on that day."

Moeroanui Tansey will vote for the first time in this year's elections.

The 26-year-old admits that in the past she didn't care about who won the elections.

"I used to think [elections] had nothing to do with me. My vote didn't make a difference. So why should I bother?"

However, she was now studying for a Bachelor in Teaching and that had opened her eyes to how important it was, she said.

"Since I have been studying I have come to realise that what happens [in Parliament] affects me. It's important for all Maori to know this."

She said not voting was a cop out.

"This is our country. It's all good to say we don't get a fair deal but be aware of what's happening. If you don't [vote] then your opinion doesn't really matter."

Ms Tansey said educating Maori about politics was the key to getting them interested. "[Education] has help me get interested in the elections. I'm always talking about it at home and with friends."

When she was at high school there was very little education around voting and elections and it should be part of the school curriculum, she said.

Knowledge was power and teaching young people about politics would make them realise how it affected them.