Maori Party candidates to say no to personal attacks

The Maori Party says its candidates will not engage in personal attacks of opponents as the election approaches because such behaviour breaches ancestral tribal principles.

The pledge comes from president Whatarangi Winiata, who said on the party's website that many non-members "are confused when the leaders of the Maori Party refuse to partake in personal attacks on other politicians, groups and peoples".

"Quite simply, manaakitanga does not permit this type of behaviour."

Professor Winiata defined manaakitanga as "behaviour that acknowledges the mana of others as having equal or greater importance than one's own, through the expression of aroha, hospitality, generosity and mutual respect".

Displaying manaakitanga elevated the status of all, "building unity through humility and the act of giving", he said.

In wharenui (meeting houses) throughout Aotearoa, respect for "rongo", or peace, dictated people's behaviour towards one another, he said.

"Shouting is not tolerated and abusive language is not countenanced." Such a demonstration of respect was missing from Parliament, where shouting, interjection and invective masqueraded as "proper" questioning, he said.

"The House would benefit greatly from a dollop of tikanga based on aroha and manaakitanga."

Professor Winiata urged supporters to extend those values to manuhiri (visitors) - or migrants.

"How would our ancestors have treated these manuhiri? Are we practising those same values?"

Party co-leader Tariana Turia is in Australia, trying to win votes from the more than 72,000 Maori who live there.

Meanwhile, Electoral Enrolment Centre manager Murray Wicks yesterday urged Maori voters who have shifted to update their electoral roll details.

A total 9624 voters of Maori descent have been removed from the roll for failing to return enrolment forms sent to them after changing addresses.

Of the 9624, just over 6000 are on the Maori roll, with Tamaki Makaurau and Te Tai Tonga the worst hit.

* Voters can enrol by calling 0800 ENROL NOW, or visiting a Postshop.