Flavell's Petition: Serious Departure From Democracy

In response to Maori Party Co-Leader Te Ururoa Flavell’s call for mandatory Maori wards on every district council in New Zealand, Democracy Action Chair Lee Short says:

“Mr Flavell’s petition calls for a serious and unwelcome departure from New Zealand’s democratic and egalitarian principles.”

“Such arrangements, whereby our elected representatives, who are accountable to the public, share rights and powers with a group of non-elected citizens, undermines the foundations of elective democracy and equality between members of society,” Mr. Short says.

“This proposal would further entrench separatism whereby different ethnicities, based on heredity, enjoy unearned privileges which are not available to all New Zealanders."

"Mr Flavell is reported in this morning's NZ Herald as saying 5% of the voting public can challenge any decision related to Maori representation. That is simply not true. The 5% he is referring to is what was necessary to get the opportunity to have a referendum to vote on Maori wards."

"When the citizens of New Plymouth last year voted on the council's decision to introduce a Maori ward, this was overturned in a landslide vote, with 83% of voters voting against the creation of the ward. There is a stark difference between 5% and 83%. It would be appreciated if Mr Flavell would stop manipulating statistics."

"Mr Flavell’s petition suggests a bypass of democracy’s prospect of ejection of the powerful by those subject to the power, for non-performance or abuse of that power.”

“One of the most precious gifts entrusted to our elected representatives is that they respect our democracy, and the equality of citizenship on which it’s based.”

“Issues of significance to Iwi deserve all due respect, but they must not be used as a vehicle to gain undemocratic privilege over other citizens.”

ENDS

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