Summarised by Centrist
Lindsay Mitchell says the Māori Party’s argument that winning six out of seven Māori electorates in the 2023 election makes them the authentic voice, isn’t altogether accurate.
Mitchell says that not all Māori vote in these electorates, and strategic voting further complicates the picture. Given that the size of the party vote is a truer guide to who voters’ views align with, Mitchell writes:
“The Māori Party did not receive more party votes than Labour in a single Māori electorate.”
In general electorates, where a significant portion of Māori voters are enrolled, TPM received few party votes, indicating relatively low support. Mitchell argues that among enrolled Māori voters, no more than 17% likely gave their party vote to the Māori Party.
“The Māori Party’s claim to speak for all Māori is pure rhetoric. They do not own Māori,” she says.
