The National Party eyes up Maori seats

This article written by Stuff's Carmen Parahi tells us something that this blogger already knew. The National Party, with the political exit of the Maori Party are now starting to eye up the Maori Seats.

They've haven't stood in the Maori seats since 2002 an still have an Anti-Maori Seat policy.
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But what does the data say about Maori seat voters and the National Party vote.

Check out the results below from 2017 - 2002:

2017

Seats
Te Tai Tokerau	1851 (3rd )
Tamaki Makaurau	1348 (5th )
Hauraki Waikato	1594 (4th )
Waiariki	1139 (4th )
Te Tai Hauauru	1509 (4th )
Ikaroa Rawhiti	1131 (5th )
Te Tai Tonga	3014 (2nd)
Total	11586

2014

Seats
Te Tai Tokerau	1938 (6th )
Tamaki Makaurau	1575 (6th )
Hauraki Waikato	1583 (6th )
Waiariki	1120 (6th )
Te Tai Hauauru	1456 (5th )
Ikaroa Rawhiti	1189 (5th )
Te Tai Tonga	2977 (3rd )
Total	11838

2011

Seats
Te Tai Tokerau	1814 (5th )
Tamaki Makaurau	1569 (6th )
Hauraki Waikato	1491 (6th )
Waiariki	1068 (6th )
Te Tai Hauauru	1421 (6th )
Ikaroa Rawhiti	1091 (6th )
Te Tai Tonga	2631 (3rd )
Total	11085

2008

Seats
Te Tai Tokerau	1883 (3rd )
Tamaki Makaurau	1504 (3rd )
Hauraki Waikato	1347 (3rd )
Waiariki	1075 (4th )
Te Tai Hauauru	1298 (3rd )
Ikaroa Rawhiti	962 (4th )
Te Tai Tonga	2210 (3rd )
Total	10729

2005

Seats
Te Tai Tokerau	994 (4th)
Tamaki Makaurau	801 (4th )
Tainui	774 (4th )
Waiariki	562 (4th )
Te Tai Hauauru	648 (4th )
Ikaroa Rawhiti	499 (4th )
Te Tai Tonga	1462 (3rd )
Total	5740

2002 (Stood Candidates)

Seats
Te Tai Tokerau	674 (4th )
Tamaki Makaurau	516 (4th )
Tainui	582 (5th )
Waiariki	588 (5th)
Te Tai Hauauru	596 (4th)
Ikaroa Rawhiti	515 (4th )
Te Tai Tonga	1083 (4th)
Total	4554

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Interestingly, there's been an overall steady increase in the National Party Party vote in the Maori seats, only the most recent elections bucking the trend only slightly (probably due to Jacindamania)

What's also interesting in the particular seat that Jo Hayes wants, is that it did maintain the increasing Party vote for National.
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National DOES have a huge track record with Maori and can boast things like;

The U.N.D.R.I.P, Whanau Ora, He Kai Kei Aku Ringa, Te Matawai, WhareWananga, Irirangi Maori, Kohanga Reo, Kura Kaupapa, Treaty Settlements, Maori Council and The Maori Women's Welfare League as some of their achievements for Maori.

They certainly have a great case to put forward for Maori.

Some might argue that given that record, it almost makes no sense why they don't have a higher Maori seat vote.
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A few things we do know for sure. Maori tend to vote for other parties (I know I do) , despite the above mentioned achievements.

Nevertheless as a voter, no matter how I personally vote, one thing is for sure, I definitely DO WANT A PROPER CHOICE IN 2020.

And I encourage more parties to stand in the Maori seats. So if that's what National want to do, by all means, go for it.

Brunei's Anti-Gay Laws

Below are the talking points that I used in THIS Live video:

https://www.facebook.com/terata.hikairo/videos/vb.512871368/10157153678671369/?type=3

·       I’M NOT MUSLIM…. BUT Am NOT making a statement against Islam or Muslims.

·       I do not encourage people to think that homophobia is inherently PART of the religious teachings of Islam, there are Millions of Gay Muslims around the world… some of them are in the Clergy of Islam…. The most famous one being Imam Nur Warsame in Australia, someone I deeply respect.

·       I AM GAY… So am raising this issue… given that it’s come to my attention.

·       Petitions and Hotel Boycotts look great on the surface BUT… at best only apply economic pressure which MAY strengthen Sultan Bolkiah’s resolve to be MORE oppressive… at worst…. Such petitions are just ineffective virtue signalling…..

·       We cant forget too.. Homophobia IS STILL a sad part even of New Zealand Society… LGBT people are NOT completely free of Discrimination here AND LGBT Youth are still the most likely in NZ to die from Suicide.

·       Level headed approach

·       Fine line between…. Supporting human rights internationally (the right to be respected and not discriminated against, the right to life, the right to fair treatment for LGBT+ People around the world) AND…. Upholding the individual sovereignty of a nation

·       I in THIS instance will HAPPILY stand for the Human Rights of LGBT+ People internationally.

·       Little known fact, the large majority of countries still have laws that oppress LGBT+ countries… this includes ‘progressive Western Nations’…. Not all countries all uniformly and consistently support Same-Sex Marriage, Adoption for Same Sex Couples etc.

·       Brunei is unfortunately not the only country where its illegal to be Gay…. Its illegal to be gay in MANY Pacific nations too…. AND even countries where its NOT explicitly illegal, some countries STILL don’t protect the rights of LGBT+ people

·       I personally believe that direct actions might be MORE effective…. Or AT LEAST Raise awareness for Sultan Bolkiah

As such, I propose direct calling his office on +673 2224645 OR +673 2229988

To tell him and his officials exactly what we think…. Let us be under NO Illusion… we may not save the lives of LGBT People in Brunei…. Or we may…

BUT WE CAN 

DEFINITELY Apply direct pressure…. To Sultan Bolkiah