A bill which will entrench Māori electorate seats in Parliament has been selected from the members' bill ballot today.
Labour MP Rino Tirikatene is char of the Maori Affairs Select Committee Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox
The Electoral Entrenchment of Maori Seats Ammendment Bill introduced by Te Tai Tonga MP Rino Tirikatene ensures Māori seats have the same protections as general electorates seats.
Mr Tirikatane said that under the Electoral Act the provisions establishing the general electorates are entrenched, meaning only a 75 percent majority can overturn them.
However, only a majority of 51 per cent is needed to abolish Māori seats.
Mr Tirikatene said the bill was about fixing the constitution.
"We should be able to have equal protection just like the general seats."
The timing of the bill's selection was apt given Māori voters are currently choosing which electoral roll to sign up to, he said.
The protection of Māori electoral seats was vital, Mr Tirikatene said.
"I think they're unique to Aotearoa, it symbolises our Treaty of Waitangi partnership and they've been a long standing, important part of our parliamentary democracy."