BlueLibs: Constitutional Review on Maori Seats Only

Submitted by LJ Holden on 9 March, 2010 - 13:20
The classical liberal advisory group of the National Party, BlueLibs, reports on this year's Constitutional Review:
The current idea is that it will consider the future of the Māori seats. But at a time when questions abound about MMP, the role of the Queen as head of State, and the Bill of Rights Act, it seems to us that the Review could consider a lot more.
The group goes on to suggest New Zealand should consider a four-year term. What's interesting about the above statement is that most National Party insiders we've spoken to tell us they think the head of state issue would be considered as part of the review in response to Keith Locke's Head of State Referenda Bill.

Comments

Anon's picture
Submitted by Anon on 19 March, 2010 - 21:41.
The seats were created as maori numbers were near extinction and were worried about representation. In 1914 the population was about 40,000.
Today they have made a great revival about 18% of the population and by 2050 about 40% is expected to have maori blood, so the thought of maori not having reps on council and parliment is perhaps ground to look at abolishing them.

Dan
Anon's picture
Submitted by Anon on 19 March, 2010 - 23:13.

Many of the people who call themselves "Maori" these days may have up to 15/16ths non-Maori blood! Being cynical, I think a lot of the increase in "Maori" population is owing to the whiff of treaty settlement pie plus the potential of extra government "assistance". There is greater benefit these days to belong to an "oppressed" minority.

Maybe if MMP survives they should reduce the party vote thresh-hold and abolish the apartheid seats in parliament.

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