28939 (2025). Rawiri Waititi to the Minister of Justice

28939 (2025). Rawiri Waititi to the Minister of Justice: What exact steps does the Electoral Commission take when an enrolment application indicates Māori descent but does not include a roll choice before assigning that individual to a roll?

Hon Paul Goldsmith: Section 83(4) of the Electoral Act 1993 provides that “if a person does not specify in his or her application whether he or she is a Māori, this Act applies as if the person had specified in his or her application that he or she is not a Māori”. However, I am advised that, where their roll choice is unclear, before placing an elector on the general roll the Electoral Commission seeks clarification directly from the elector by phone, email, or letter.