3 Sep 2014

Mana slates current polling techniques

7:42 am on 3 September 2014

The Mana Movement is slating the use of current polling techniques, saying they do not accurately reflect the mood of the Maori electorates.

Mana candidates Annette Sykes and Te Hamua Nikora.

Mana candidates Annette Sykes and Te Hamua Nikora. Photo: RNZ / Gareth Thomas

Its candidate for Waiariki said landline phone polls in no way, shape or form fairly show what Maori voters' preferences really are.

Annette Skyes said the 2013 Census reveals that in Waiariki alone, 30 percent of voters do not have access to a landline.

Ms Skyes is critical of the tool and says its flaws were demonstrated by the inaccurate landline polls conducted for Te Tai Tonga at the last election.

She said more and more Maori are using cell phones instead.

Annette Sykes said the Mana Movement commissioned its own professional poll from an independent company using both landlines and online questionnaires.

She said that provided a very different picture showing that there is only a small gap between herself and Te Ururoa Flavell.

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