Letters to the editor: Treaty interpretations and voting in a Maori ward

Treaty interpretations

I hope that most people have read my last letter (Letters, December 13) with more care than Mr Dey (Letters, December 18) has done.

As I stated, the Treaty says precisely: "all the people of New Zealand". Why would Hobson choose otherwise?

That Parliament has twisted it since does not alter that plain fact.

My understanding is the so-called "English version" written by Freeman was only the second page of the agreement signed at Waikato Heads, used merely for an overflow of signatures, and has no real constitutional significance whatever.

Bruce Moon
Nelson

Voting in a Maori ward

As a New Zealand Māori, or a descendant of a New Zealand Māori, you can enrol on the Māori electoral roll or the general electoral roll.

The type of electoral roll you are on makes no difference to which party you can vote for.

Every voter has the same list of political parties to choose from when using their party vote.

It is noted that in the 2017 elections Maori voters did not select the Maori Party.

However, the electoral roll type you choose may have an impact on your vote in a local authority or council election if your local authority has created Māori wards.

If you have chosen to go on the Māori electoral roll and your local authority decides to create a Māori ward, you would have to vote for the candidate in the Māori ward.

So If Maori wards are introduced in any council it is compulsory for those Maori to vote in that Maori Ward. I believe this is not democracy.

They have no choice in other candidates and non-Maori have minority-elected compulsory Maori councillors in addition to all the existing iwi representation.

The moral of the story is: Think carefully when voting in a Maori ward poll.

RE Stephens
Mount Maunganuii