Corina Shields’ Bombshell: Abolish Māori Seats Now – You Won’t Believe the Data!

In a bold and stirring video released by Hobson's Pledge on 𝕏, Corina Shields, a wahine Māori, has reignited a fiery debate that strikes at the heart of New Zealand’s political landscape: the future of Māori seats.

These designated electorates, established in 1867 to ensure Māori representation in Parliament, have long been a cornerstone of New Zealand’s democratic framework. Yet, as Shields passionately argues, they may now be an outdated relic, dividing rather than uniting a nation.

With voices from last year’s X discussions following the 2023 general election and the Toitū te Tiriti disruptions—including my own article—echoing her call, the question looms larger than ever: Is it time to abolish the Māori seats, or should they evolve to meet modern needs?

I frequently reflect on strategies to safeguard our homeland from both foreign and domestic threats. I have been outspoken about the perils of globalisation and the risks posed by mass immigration, as well as the potential harm from cross-border coordination and collaboration with foreign entities.

I have been calling for Electoral Act reforms. I am Māori and I absolutely hate that people can come from all over the world to live in New Zealand and after living here for 12 months or longer legally, have the privilege to vote in our nations elections and determine New Zealand’s culture, identity and destiny. My personal political opinion is that no matter where we are from in the world, elections should ONLY be decided by citizens and not guests or foreign friends visiting or overstaying.

In this context, I have considered whether New Zealand should mandate that all permanent residents—specifically foreigners, all migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees who possess the legal right to reside in the country, including those on valid visas—be automatically enrolled on the Māori electoral roll upon registering, provided they have lived in New Zealand legally for 12 months or more and meet the eligibility criteria to vote in national elections.

Under my proposal, EVERYONE in New Zealand eligible to register and vote in our elections should be prohibited from registering on or switching to the general roll until they can prove or attain New Zealand citizenship irrespective of their immigration status.

This policy would significantly restrict the voting options for "Permanent Residents" namely, foreigners on visas who are in the country legitimately, because they threaten our kiwi way of life.

Under the Electoral Act 1993, migrants can register to vote in New Zealand elections after 12 months and only if they are in New Zealand legitimately (legally)—ultimately my policy would safeguard the homeland, your family and mine from these THREATS foreign and domestic. We must pushback, we have to fight back against this radical globalist agenda being forced on us by the disgraceful, unashamed, woke, fraudulent, manipulative, grifting, thieving, illegal, dangerous and recklessly irresponsible political-left.

As a natural critical thinker, I’m constantly evaluating preventive measures to protect myself and my whānau. I firmly believe in taking decisive, even extreme, protective actions rather than relying on loose, unchecked approaches that jeopardize my family’s safety. Reacting or responding after the damage is done—especially when it’s too late—is a risk I refuse to take.

I’d rather proactively avoid a catastrophe, like completely preventing cancer from taking hold, than allow it to spread unchecked and untreatable. No one can fault me for prioritizing the health, safety and best interests of New Zealand over foreign agendas, even from those who pay taxes or reside here—I don’t give a fk!

The Historical Context and Current Divide

The Māori electorates were introduced under the Maori Representation Act of 1867 as a temporary measure to address the exclusion of Māori from the general electoral system, which required individual land ownership—a criterion incompatible with communal Māori land tenure. Initially set for five years, the seats were made permanent in 1876 and by 2002 there were 7 Māori electorates across the country. Today, they reserve positions for Māori representatives, with voting restricted to those on the Māori roll, creating what some call a “two-tier citizenship” system.

Last year, in my article on X — I delved into the data and discontent surrounding these seats. I highlighted how Te Pāti Māori, despite winning six of the seven Māori electorates in the 2023 election, secured only 3.08% of the national party vote—far below the 5% threshold for proportional representation.

This, I argued, suggests that the party, and by extension the seats, do not reflect the broader Māori populace. The data from Stats NZ (April 1, 2024) showed 289,826 Māori electors on the Māori roll out of 520,569 eligible Māori voters, yet the Toitū te Tiriti hīkoi—claimed to represent Māori interests—drew only a fraction (0.576% to 1.92% of Māori electors, even at its highest estimates). This disconnect fuels the argument that the seats empower a vocal minority rather than the majority.

The Political Chessboard

The debate isn’t confined to social media. New Zealand First, led by Winston Peters, has historically pushed for a referendum on abolishing the seats, a stance reiterated during the 2017 campaign.

The National Party, under leaders like Bill English and Don Brash, has also called for their end, though recent policy shifts suggest a more cautious approach.

Meanwhile, the Māori Party’s confidence-and-supply deal with National in 2008 ensured the seats’ retention pending Māori voter approval, a condition that remains unmet.

A Path Forward? Shields’ video and the ensuing X discussions suggest a growing appetite for change. Abolishing the Māori seats could force parties like Te Pāti Māori to campaign nationwide, earning a mandate from all Māori rather than relying on designated rolls—a point I raised last year, proposing a national tour to engage iwi and Māori electors directly.

New Zealand stands at a crossroads. The Māori seats, once a beacon of representation, are now a lightning rod for debate about fairness, identity, and democracy.

Corina Shields’ call, backed by data and personal testimonies from X, challenges us to rethink race-based politics. But the answer lies not just in abolition—it lies in listening to all New Zealanders, Māori and non-Māori alike, to forge a system that truly reflects our shared future. As the conversation evolves, one thing is clear: the status quo is no longer tenable.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments or join the debate on X.