10 Oct 2013

Mana says need to focus on getting Maori to vote

7:37 am on 10 October 2013

The Mana Movement says while it is disappointing that more Maori did not opt to go on the Maori roll, the main focus should be on getting Maori to vote on election day.

The Maori Electoral Option statistics released this week show an increase of 5% in the number of enrolments on the Maori roll, but an increase of 14.3% in Maori voters going on the general roll.

Mana president Annette Sykes says sadly significant numbers of Maori aged between 18 and 30 did not participate in the Maori option, and many also will not vote on election day.

She says Maori leaders must work hard to raise awareness of the importance of voting.

Ms Sykes says the media has played up conflict between Mana and the Maori Party, and that has damaged confidence with Maori voters.