Pause and consider before voting

MMP's two-votes system offers voters more power than the old FPP system. But to use your votes effectively, a little forethought is required, writes Nancy Tuaine.

The Mixed Member Proportional representation voting system, more commonly known as MMP, provides an opportunity to exercise two types of votes. One vote for the candidate and one vote for the party. However, I wonder how many people really consider the power that this choice provides.

Do people choose a candidate because they represent the party whose policies they like the most, or a party that themselves or their family has belonged to forever? Or do they choose a person because they like the way they look or because they have impact, influence and action? MMP provides voters with a real opportunity to study the candidates and to weigh them up against their competitors.

It is a chance for you, the voter, to consider the person and their ability to meet the needs of their constituency and the community at large in a wider political setting.

Let's think about these three qualities and how we can use them to consider the upcoming election candidates:

Impact: When you hear a candidate speak or read something he or she has written, does it have an effect on you? Does it cause you to reflect on what they have said or think deeper about the points that were made?

After a day or after a week, do you remember what they have said, does it makes sense and do you believe the person actually has the ability to make what they have said happen?

Influence: Can the candidate persuade others to support something they are championing? Is she or he able to effect change and gather resources for a specific cause or vision, and does the candidate have the networks and contacts to make it happen? Is the candidate respected or have the ability to gain respect?

Action: Is the candidate known for achieving things, for implementing or leading what has been promised from start to finish? When you consider a candidate, write down the things you know the candidate has accomplished, progressed or highlighted with effect.

Think about choosing a person who has the qualities to make things happen, someone who can stand up for our community. Your second choice is for the party. The candidate you choose does not have to belong to party you choose. They can be different.

Nancy Tuaine is manager of the Whanganui River Maori Trust Board, past electorate chairwoman of Te Tai Hauauru Electorate of the Maori Party, a member of the Whanau Ora Governance Group, a member of the Taskforce for Youth Wellbeing and a member of the Whanganui District Health Board.

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