Sharples Pita: Electoral (Reduction in Number of Members of  Parliament) Amendment Bill — Second Reading 
Sharples Pita: Electoral (Reduction in Number of Members of  Parliament) Amendment Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:635;Page:6325] 
Dr PITA SHARPLES (Co-Leader—Maori Party) 
: 
 The electoral system of representation in Aotearoa—in New Zealand—has since 1867 been founded on a notion of dual constituencies. The nation is divided into 62 general electorates and seven Maori electorates enabling representation of both the general population and tangata whenua in a mechanism that should work together to create a cherished national identity. With MMP the dual system is elaborated further with the potential for distinctive representation from the diverse populations of Aotearoa. 
The possibility of proportionality has been enhanced through the event of the 52 list seats. This system is one that back in 1993 Maori voted for by a much higher margin than others. What Maori understood was that authentic Maori representation could be achieved through the independent Maori voice of the Maori electorates and as well wider Maori democratic participation across Parliament could be ensured. Indeed the diverse Maori world views that emerge alongside those of the Maori Party members from list members in National Labour New Zealand First and the Green Party are a sign of the influence of Maori in the MMP environment. 
With this bill this strength would be reduced as all four of those parties mentioned would be forced to scrutinise their lists to make the call as to whether it would be their Maori MPs that were to be retained. History would tell us that they would not. Electoral reform held the great promise of increased Maori representation through the guaranteed representation of the Maori seats alongside the expectation of better representation on the list. The association of MMP with stronger representation for Maori was encouraged by the iwi stations—Maori radio stations—in 1993 which influenced listeners to think that MMP stood for “More Maori in Parliament”. They were right. The ratio of Maori MPs rose dramatically from 7.1 percent in 1993 to 17.3 percent now. So in the interests of whanaungatanga and manaakitanga there is no way that the Maori Party can support a move to reduce this level of representation. 
The question of proportionality is however relevant. The Maori Party takes great pride in the fact that as at the end of the last session we had delivered 183 speeches in this House across every political topic. Our contribution is always informed by kaupapa and tikanga Maori by our histories our traditions and our world views. But we know that the ability to present a distinctive Maori world view is not so easy when one is constrained by the apron strings of a mainstream party. As an example it has been a matter of some disappointment to us that the Government Maori members have been forced to lead a campaign of misinformation about our bill to repeal the Foreshore and Seabed Act—a bill that serves to repeal an Act that Maori throughout this land remain universally opposed to. 
This is where the importance of a strong mixed-member proportional system is most profound. We know that although the Foreshore and Seabed Bill was an act of confiscation which had and still has devastating impacts on the well-being of Maori it showed Maori that they cannot afford to put their trust in individual politicians—Maori or otherwise. The trust and confidence of our people will be respected by the philosophical positions the values that come from the diverse political parties represented in this Parliament. These are philosophies that may see value in tikanga and kaupapa Maori that value human rights and that respect due access to justice—one law for all. 
Our MMP system has inspired considerable interest from many international commentators. Therese Arseneau when a professor of political science in Halifax had some interesting comments for the House about how we evaluate the question of numbers of MPs against the outcomes of representation. She stated: “The New Zealand experience suggests caution. Effective representation is not just about number of women and Maori MPs. 
Also important is an examination of how these representatives fulfil their role to link representation to actions. While sheer numbers remain important perhaps more important is the question of where the women and Aboriginal MPs are found … and are they allowed to represent the diverse interests? In New Zealand party discipline may preclude such representation.” 
Indeed the Canadian professor may have hit the nub of the problem. As tangata whenua found out in the foreshore and seabed debacle there were some Maori MPs and worse yet some who were in Maori electorate seats who had to overlook the anguish of their constituency and vote along party lines. 
Representation and proportionality will not be found in a choice of two. Essentially party lines will always prevail. The last thing that this nation needs is a return to the bipartisan politics of first past the post where one is either red or blue and nothing in between. MMP embraces the browns the blacks the greens and the golds as part of the rich fabric of nationhood. Demographically Aotearoa is becoming more colourful more Pacific more Maori more Asian. Our Parliament must enable its members’ voices to be heard through greater representation of parties that honour diversity. 
Perhaps where this is most evident is in participation in select committees. Although Labour maintains the controlling role as chair of 11 of the 18 committees with National chairing five and New Zealand First and the Greens one each the requirement to reflect the overall proportionality means that chairmen can no longer exercise the casting vote. Although in the past it was taken for granted that the committee system could be controlled by the Government in more recent times there is more opportunity for a divided committee outcome to reflect proportionality. Smaller parties such as our own may participate in an item of business as a non-voting member thereby creating more likelihood of an environment of contestable and diverse advice. 
These were issues that the submissions to the select committee canvassed and that influenced the decision to recommend that the bill not be passed. Submitters emphasised the importance of the select committee process in providing a check on the power of the executive. 
The challenge before this Parliament is how best to achieve a representative and legitimate legislature that will truly reflect Aotearoa. The history of Parliament demonstrates that over the century various attempts at achieving an MMP dream have been enacted. We celebrate the Young Maori Party the Independent Ratana MPs Mana Motuhake and Mauri Pacific as part of that journey. There have been other movements outside that have also exerted influence. In the last years of the 19th century and the first years of the 20th century Papawai Marae near Greytown became the focus of Kotahitanga the Maori Parliament movement. There have been Mana Maori Te Tawharau Te Kauhanganui and Kohuirau. They have all served to remind Parliament of the strength of support for expressing an independent Maori voice. 
Ten years ago the Royal Commission on the Electoral System articulated that dream of MMP for Maori. Its report stated a vision that the rights of Maori would be preserved and defended in the Maori seats while the list may motivate parties to become more focused on minority issues to elevate the positions of Maori candidates on the list and to actively recruit more Maori candidates in an effort to win more votes. Ten years on we see that the momentum of Maori political representation is absolutely thriving in this Parliament. 
I leave the last word to political analyst Colin James in his article “Can the Maori Party succeed?”. I quote: “Set this challenge in the context of this society’s changing culture and colour: there are many more Maori (and Pacific people) and proportionately more of the Maori feel and act Maori. Maori culture is starting genuinely to influence ‘mainstream’ culture. A generation from now we will be much more of the Pacific not just in it.” The diversity that is the cornerstone of the MMP system is also the diversity of the emerging Aotearoa. Proportionality and representation are too important to be compromised. The Maori Party will not support this bill.