Two-way traffic on Maori electoral roll

More than 12,500 Maori have changed the type of electoral roll they are on -- but not all have headed in the same direction.

Electoral Enrolment Centre national manager Murray Wicks said that, one month into the four-month 2006 Maori Electoral Option, 4637 Maori had changed from the Maori to general roll and 7923 from general to Maori.

A further 1939 enrolled for the first time.

"Awareness of the Maori Electoral Option is running high," Mr Wicks said.

"Once the Maori Electoral Option is over on 2 August 2006, the final numbers on the general and Maori rolls will be used to help work out the number of general and Maori electorate MPs there will be in Parliament following the next two general elections."

- NZPA