Vote recount requested

Wellington: The Maori Party has requested a recount in Tamaki Makaurau and Te Tai Hauauru, claiming discrimination prevented many people from voting.

The recount applications were filed yesterday with the Electoral Commission.

Maori Party president Che Wilson said the party had no dispute with the final numbers, but was concerned some whanau were refused their right to vote on the Maori roll at select election booths.

The recount was an effort to clean up the system and ensure everybody was treated the same, he said.

Mr Wilson said the odds were continually stacked against Maori and the 5% threshold was unreachable for any indigenous party. — RNZ