The Mighty Maori Party – M.M.P

What is the motivation for being in Parliament?

The people put us there A belief that we can do better A desire to contribute to the nation in a positive

way The survival of Maori as a people. POWER to influence change

To get that POWER, it comes down to numbers in Parliament

Power sharing – Maori efforts

Te Tiriti o Waitangi Petitions Marches War/ Passive resistance – Orakau/ Parihaka Duplicating “European” institutions. Kingitanga Joining political parties Prophetic movements – Ringatu, Ratana Political Movements – Mana Motuhake

N.Z Constitution Act 1852

Over 21 years of age Male Have individual land title

When the balance of power was achieved, a new law is introduced..

Maori Representation Act 1867

Maori population (56,000) 4 seats. European population (171,000) 72 seats Created as a response to the Kingitanga and the outbreak

of war A way of amalgamating Mäori into political process so they

felt they had a voice without jeopardising European control Served to promote European political interests. In some

seats they were becoming outnumbered Entitled to 15 seats out of 72

Maori Representation

1852. N.Z Constitution Act 1867. Maori Representation Act 1967. Possible for non Maori to contest Maori seats

and Maori to contest non Maori seats 1893-1975. Those with more than half Maori descent

were not allowed to vote on European electorate 1975. A person with some degree of Maori can

chose to vote in Maori or general electorate

Maori seats

Move to MMP changed the political environment

1996 – 4 seats 2002 – 7 seats Number of seats is determined by number of

Maori registered on Maori roll

Maori Electoral Status – 2014

Maori on General Roll – 45% Maori on Maori Roll – 55% There are now 462,000 Maori eligible to vote 270,000 voted at last election It is possible that almost 200,000 people still are not

enrolled to vote. 40,000 voters taken from Maori roll Potential for 12-14 seats if all Maori were on Maori Roll

and if captured by one party

Maori Representation

Get the opportunity to change rolls after each census (5 Years - 2013).

4 month opportunity Said to be about 22 Maori MPs Cannot assume that they/ we all feel/vote the

same Must follow party lines

Maori Electorates

Tai Tokerau Tamakimakaurau Hauraki-Waikato Waiariki Te Tai Hauauru Ikaroa Rawhiti Te Tai Tonga

Hone Harawira (M) Dr Pita Sharples (MP) Nanaia Mahuta (L) Te Ururoa Flavell (MP) Tariana Turia (MP) Meka Whaitiri (L) Rino Tirikatene (MP)

Parliament has….

Usually 120 Seats ( Currently 121) 63 General Seats 7 Maori Seats 50 List Seats Majority is at least 61 votes to pass legislation/ laws Convention that you vote with your party on ALL votes. Exception is “conscience” votes. i.e matters to do with

Alcohol, capital punishment, homosexual law reform, prostitution, gambling, adoption, abortion, pornography, and smoking in public places

Parliament currently looks like…

National – 59 United Future-Dunne 1 ACT – John Banks 1

Total - 61

3

Labour – 34 Greens – 14 NZ First - 7 Mana – 1 Brendon Horan 1

Total - 57

If in Government…

Able to implement own policy platform Able to change existing policy platform Make law Change law

All comes down to votes

In order to pass laws…

Government – you have the majority, you make or amend laws

Private Member – draw of all members who place Bills in ballot - Gambling Harm Reduction Amendment Bill

Local Bills – Removal of Repeat Offenders from CBD in Hamilton

7th July 2004 Seabed and Foreshore Act 2004 Tariana leaves Labour Maori Party is set up to allow Tariana to have a party

banner to run under in by-election By election victory Maori Party structure set up and preparation for general

election in 2005 Win four seats in opposition

In 2008,

invited to participate in Relationship Accord including Confidence and Supply agreement with National Party

“Confidence” provide votes to pass budget “Supply”, the budget to allow the Government

to govern through Ministries.

Why did the PM pick the Maori Party to negotiate and agreement?

A good look for the country – embodiment of the Treaty principle

An insurance policy to ensure stable Government Felt that we could make a valuable contribution

to “their look” Had nothing to lose… The principle of mana enhancing is something

that he understands…

Key features of Relationship Accord

“Mana Enhancing” Only have to vote for the budget Agree to disagree No surprises Ministerial positions in negotiated portfolios Implementation of key policy lines from

manifesto Ability to engage at Ministerial level with all

Ministers and Prime Minister

Key features of Relationship Accord - Ministerials

Tariana Turia Whanau Ora Disabilities

Associate Housing Associate Health Associate Social Development Associate Tertiary Education,

Skills and Employment

Dr Pita Sharples Maori Affairs

Associate Corrections Associate Education

Key features of Relationship Accord

Policy PrioritiesThe National Party and the Māori Party will work together to progress policy priorities as and where agreement can be found

Collective ResponsibilityThe Māori Party agree to be bound by collective responsibility in relation to their Associate Minister responsibilities. When the Māori Party Ministers speak about issues within their portfolios, they will speak for the Government.

Key features of Relationship Accord

Procedural MotionsThe Māori Party agrees that it will support the National-led government on procedural motions in the House and in Select Committees

Commitments – in considering legislation, it is in the context of..

The survival of Maori as a peopleDefend Maori rightsAdvance Maori aspirations and is in the best interests of the nationTe Pani me te Rawa koreWhether it will benefit MaoriKo te nohotahi i te Paremata (relationship with other parties)Is it in our tribal history?Consultation - presentation of informationPosition against tikanga Maori

Making a comparison in the vote

- 48th Parliament (2005) Maori Party voted with the opposition (National) 68%

- 49th Parliament (2008) Maori Party voted with the opposition (Labour) 77%

In the 48th Parliament we voted with the Government 81% of the time

In the 49th Parliament we voted with the Government 83% of the time

Benefits of being associated with governing party…Budget

Budget 2009 Budget 2010 Budget 2011 Budget 2012 Budget 2013 Budget 2014

$120.3 mill $286.3 mill $213.55 mill $484.4 mill $1088.6 mill $298.74 mill

Benefits

3000 places in Maori and Pasifica Trade Training 400 Cadetships 1,400 places over 4 years Insulation of houses in low income households $8mill to eliminate violence in families $12mill in Housing Inquiry into Poverty Constitutional review Social hazards

Difficulties

Can never achieve all the expectations The politics of being in a relationship with

National Don’t get all you want. 59 versus 3 Branding – Lack of knowledge about how Parliament works Having a Maori Party - racism

In conclusion…

If it is that one does go to Parliament to make positive change for the country in the best interests of all its citizens and ensure the survival of Maori as a people, it is important that a Party stays in Parliament for ever

We will work with those parties who support our kaupapa