Multiple sites of Māori political participation

Abstract

This article examines what might be included in a definition of Māori political participation that moves beyond a predominant focus on voting in New Zealand general elections. I suggest that the proliferation of Māori governance organisations in recent years means that Māori participation within these organisations must also be considered as part of wider political participation. In addition, I argue that Māori engagement with local authorities deserves further close examination to explore the multiple ways in which political participation occurs. Using a broader definition of Māori political participation and highlighting its many facets indicate that Māori engage in more varied ways in New Zealand politics than previously recognised.

在新西兰，普选的投票是关注的焦点，毛利的政治参与不在其内。本文讨论了毛利政治参与的界定还可以包括哪些内容。作者认为，毛利治理组织近些年的兴旺发达说明毛利人的参与这类组织，也应被视为更广泛的政治参与之一部分。另外，毛利人与地方当局的交往也值得密切的关注，需要探讨其政治参与的多重方式。广义地理解毛利人的政治参与，关注其多面多相，可以让我们看到，其实毛利人参与新西兰政治的途径要比以往我们所看到的丰富变化得多。

Keywords:

• Māori politics
• New Zealand
• political participation

Notes

¹A substantial amount of literature documents Māori involvement in political movements and resistance against colonisation but this is not commonly defined as participation but rather as opposing participation (Durie 1999; Harris 2004).

²New Zealand has two electoral rolls: one for people of declared Māori descent and the other for all other New Zealanders. There are seven Māori electorates, which provide a minimal expression of the self determination guaranteed to Māori in the Treaty of Waitangi 1840.

³The Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the British Crown and Māori in 1840 but breaches of the Treaty and the rights associated with it continue to be a matter of contention.

⁴Comparing the percentage of turnout with that of votes in favour of the Settlement or proposed governance entity is revealing. The average approval rates across the 21 completed (to date) Settlements is 93 per cent. Rates range from a low of 65 per cent (Waikato–Tainui) and at most 99 per cent (Taranaki Whanui, Ngāti Kuia and Ngāti Apa ki te Rā To¯). From these results we can surmise that because the majority of those voting favour these Settlements, then those who chose not to vote are likely to oppose. This is where further research would shed greater light on the situation, as it is difficult to determine whether non-voters are in opposition to the Settlement process itself – or whether it is that particular deal. I suggest that it is the whole ensemble of negotiation with the government and settlement process, as well as the specific details. Tribal members tend to ‘vote with their feet’, that is, those who support the tribal structures and the proposals they put forward for ratification cast their vote and the others do not.