Bloggers encourage Maori Party to amend bill on the Maori seats

There has been a bit of discussion on the Maori seats, particularly with the Maori Party policy of entrenchment of the seats, contrasting with Helen Clark supporting entrenchment of the Maori electoral option. Today the Herald reported that a pledge to entrench the option would prove crucial in assisting Labour with post- election negotiations with the Maori Party.

The paper is incorrect. The Maori Party want to entrench the seats, not the option, and Clark's comments are irrelevant to the Maori Party position.

Yesterday I did a post on the Maori Party Bill to entrench the seats linking a similar post from No Right Turn, who had also seen the bill. The post was sent to and read by all Maori Party MPs yesterday - not sent by me - and as a result, I was told by the Party today that directly as a result of the suggestions and comment in this blog, the bill is to be amended to embrace our suggestions that parts of the Maori Electoral Option should be entrenched with the seats.

Although it makes for a better bill, it still needs 75% to pass. That's the big hurdle. Oh, and well done Legal Beagle for getting the ball rolling.