Guest Editorial

Tu Tangata, Issue 3, 1 November 1981, Page 2

Guest Editorial

Rt. Rev. Manu Bennett

Before stepping down from his office of Bishop of Aotearoa earlier this year, the Rt. Rev. Manu Bennett had a final pastoral letter he wished to address to his flock. He considered it extremely urgent that the Maori people should be encouraged to vote in the 81 election.

To this end Tu Tangata publishes the Bishop's message.

“It would seem that if the percentage of Maoris going to the polls at the last few elections continues its downward trend we could, by poor response and poor participation on election day, lose the present arrangement of special representation by our own defaulting. It may be that a new form of representation should be introduced but it is of great importance that we retain what we have got until we have strengthened our position and can talk about other alternatives from a position of strength rather than one which comes by default.

It was to this end that people from all our Maori Churches together with the Secretariat for Evangelism, Justice and Development and the help of the Secretary of Maori Affairs held their Tu Tangata Wananaga from the 27th to 29th March at Te Unga Waka in Auckland. The seminar itself turned out to be a gathering of great importance. One of the introductory papers was given by Dr Mahuta and unfortunately, was the only thing reported in the media, and caused quite a stir amongst those present.* But nevertheless it was one of many points of view which the seminar discussed but in the end the bulk of those present were firmly against such a measure at this present point in time and felt that we should strongly advocate to our people the retention of the present pattern while at the same time keeping our options open for the future.

However there were matters which we felt that the Churches in Maoridom should be encouraged to pursue and foster particularly

amongst our own congregations and the following are a summary of points approved for a basis of immediate action by the member Churches of the group at the meeting of the Tu Tangata Whanau Wananga o Nga Hahi Maori:

That throughout the whole whakaminenga network system of our various Churches, we should: Encourage all our people to vote at the coming election.

We should assist them where necessary to understand the voting procedures.

We should encourage all our people to make sure that they are on the electoral roll and to assist them to find out.

We must ensure from the authorities that the rolls are available at Post Offices, Maori Affairs offices, Citizens Advice Bureaux and where necessary even at schools.

That the appropriate Department be asked for an increase in the number of Maori polling booths but especially in urban areas and that a Maori returning officer be present at every general polling booth in order to assist the Maori voter. That scrutineers be asked to make wider use of their forms of identification.

That the Department of Maori Affairs be invited to help in this educative programme through their Tu Tangata scheme and the network of their community officers.”

* Dr Mahuta’s paper is reprinted in this Tu Tangata 81 election edition

The Maori Seats, the case for/against.