Being NZ born I take an interest in events across the ditch but understanding the results of the flag referendum last week is far from simple. There was a vote in November-December to select the design which ran against the current flag in voting over past weeks. From reading news starting almost a year ago the whole idea seemed to be driven by Prime Minister Key – a panel of VIP’s was assembled – many designs were looked at – five options were put to the first vote late in 2015 – there was much media backing for change – then the winner ran against the current flag this month.
Full size graphic. The NZ Herald justifiably says – Maori flag attitudes a puzzler – There was no support for the Koru design in the first referendum and Maori did not favour the silver fern this month. The All Blacks have possessed the silver fern symbol for a century or so which IMHO rules it out for the flag.
Amazing results on the face of it. Labor electorates all want to keep the old flag with the Union Jack, some of them by majorities of more than 3 to 1. The only Maori party electorate is also 3 to 1 in favour of retaining this “remnant of colonialism”.
I could be wrong but it seems to me this has been a clever move by conservative NZ PM Key. Poses as a progressive by advocating a new flag for the 21st century. Long drawn-out procedure including a first referendum to pick the best alternative design. The press get sucked into being on his side since they are always in favour of chucking out any symbol of national pride, tradition, or sacrifice. But Labor voters talk themselves into opposing the new flag because their knee-jerk reaction is that if Key wants it, it must be bad.
Result: nothing. But Key gets to pose as open to change, and split the Left opposition. Meanwhile the budget is back in surplus. Why vote Labor next time?
Media & elites are sure casting about for rational explanations.
Political roundup: The 20 best analyses of the flag referendum result 29 Mar 16
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11613300
Dave – there are 7 Maori electorates –
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%81ori_electorates
6 held by Labour – 1 by the Maori Party –
Of course Maori voters can choose if they enroll in a Maori electorate or a general electorate. Their vote looks to be worth more in a Maori electorate as population of enrolled voters are smaller than general electorates.
The 7 Maori seats average 34,325 Voters on the roll and 16,554 voted or 48%
The 63 General seats average 45,598 Voters on the roll and 31,383 voted or 68%
Thanks Wazsah. I did know that the “Maori” seat that voted to keep the flag with the Union Jack was held by the Maori Party, but I was vague about the system of “Maori electorates”.
Following your link, I find it’s a remarkable system – 7 electorates covering the whole country a second time, in which only Maori get a vote. Originally (1867!) it was supposed to be a temporary measure to give Maori a voice at a time when most of them would not have met the property qualification for voting. But the property test was abolished in 1879, yet the Maori electorates stayed around.
As you say, the system does not mean that Maori get two votes, as they can register only once, either in a Maori or in a general electorate. But their vote is worth a fair bit more in a Maori electorate. Quaint or racist, take your pick…