Te Pati Māori co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngawera-Packer. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Te Pāti Māori's lawyers have clarified exactly what legal action it's taking over reports of missing enrolments from the Māori roll.
The party sent out a press release around 3pm yesterday, claiming it had filed "urgent proceedings in the High Court" over the claims.
The Electoral Commission has said there are no technical issues with the enrol online system and Māori voters' rolls aren't changed without permission.
RNZ has now seen a letter dated 1 August from lawyer Matthew Carson to Crown Law that showed the party filed a statement of claim on 18 July, challenging the Electoral Commission's calculation of the Māori electoral population and the corresponding number of Māori electoral seats for the next election.
It's Te Pāti Māori's position the commission's calculation is wrong and there should be eight, not seven, Māori seats up for grabs in the 2026 Election.
The party has now advised Crown Law it is also "seeking a full explanation" of reports of missing enrolments from the Māori roll, as part of this judicial review.
"This is central not only to the present proceedings and the issues they raise, but also for Māori participation in Aotearoa's democracy," the letter said.
"We intend to pursue these issues via the present proceeding, and to determine the propriety of any changes made following service of this judicial review.
"There is no second proceeding on foot. An amended pleading will be prepared to the extent necessary, given that these issues arose after the judicial review was first filed and served."
The letter asks for a formal response to the following questions:
- a) Have voters enrolled on the Māori roll been removed from the Māori roll, or had their enrolment status changed, as has been publicly reported?
- b) If so, who, and how many?
- c) What steps or changes made by your clients have resulted in the removals or changes described in (a)?
Te Pāti Māori have been highly critical of the commission despite assurances from both the organisation and the Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith that there are no issues in the system.
RNZ has spoken to several voters, including former political journalist Taryn Utiger, who report not being able to find themselves on the Māori roll despite switching to it as recently as last year.
Yesterday, Goldsmith said it was "very easy" for people to make claims and anyone with hard evidence should speak to the Electoral Commission.
RNZ has approached the Electoral Commission today asking for confirmation it's certain no one has been taken off the Māori Roll and what work, if any, it's doing to address any impacts on public trust in the democratic system.
On Thursday, the Electoral Commission said there were no technical problems with the rolls. It said those who can't find their details may not be entering the correct information or may be on the dormant role, which applies to those who haven't communicated with the commission for three years.
"We've heard some concerns that people have been unable to find their enrolment record on our website. We have checked and there are no technical issues with our enrol online system," Electoral Commission deputy chief executive of operations Anusha Guler said.
"If you're Māori, I also want to assure you that your roll choice - Māori roll or general roll - is up to you. We won't put you on either roll by default and we won't change your roll without your permission."
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