Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere is calling for an immediate investigation into the Electoral Commission.
“We just want to rock up to a polling booth and be treated like non-Māori.”
Tamihere says that there were many occasions when voting stations in Manurewa and Hoani Waititi Marae ran out of forms.
“Not just once but five days over there they ran out of voting forms for Māori so, if that’s happening at these places, it’s happening at a lot of places and we are getting the evidence in on that.”
However, an Electoral Commission spokesperson responded to this particular incident: “Right across the country, voting places were well stocked with voting papers ahead of election day.
“Our staff monitor stocks of voting papers and enrolment forms, and if they are running low, they will ask for new supplies to be dropped off.
“Did not run out of voting papers’
“It was busy at the Manurewa Marae and Hoani Waititi voting places, which reflected that they were popular places for local voters, and we thanked voters for their patience on the day.
“We’ve checked with our staff and can confirm we did not run out of voting papers on election day at either of those voting places.
“A mobile team brought in new supplies to keep them stocked and make sure they didn’t run out.
“No one was turned away from voting. If a voting place is busy and there’s a wait, our staff might suggest another voting place that’s quieter – but that’s not turning people away – they are welcome to stay.”
Tamihere also says he will consider calling for a new election after November 3 if there are seats that are “too close to call.”