Abstract
Every five years and when initially enrolling to vote, Maori have the choice between the Maori roll or the general roll. Research has explored the predictors of roll choice for older adults, but this paper presents the first exploration of roll choice for rangatahi Maori (Maori youth; aged 13-18), and the predictors of rangatahi not understanding the difference between rolls. We draw on Maori data (n = 1528) from Youth19 which surveyed students from a random sample of schools from Tai Tokerau, Tamaki Makaurau, and Waikato. We find those Maori who also identify as Pakeha (New Zealand European) are less likely to opt for the Maori roll, but those who know their Iwi, are comfortable in Maori social surroundings, feel a spiritual connection to land and the presence of their ancestors in their lives, or feel the drive to be respected as Indigenous, are more likely to choose the Maori roll. Older rangatahi are more likely to say they understand the question, as are those with study plans post-secondary school, and who say they are comfortable in Maori social settings. These results contribute to a body of knowledge valuable for those seeking to increase voter enrolment and enrolment on the Maori roll.Glossary of Maori words: Hapu: kinship group, generally smaller than Iwi; sometimes translated to sub-tribe; hui: meeting; Iwi: broader tribal unit or grouping; nation; kaitiaki: guardian, steward, trustee; kanohi-ki-te-kanohi: face to face/in person; kapa haka: Maori performing arts; traditional performance; Kura Kaupapa Maori: Maori language/Maori medium schools; mana whenua: Maori group(s) who have authority, power, or rights over a certain area of land; marae: meeting house and the area surrounding it; matauranga Maori: Maori ways of knowing/knowledge; Pakeha: New Zealanders of European descent; rangatahi: youth; rohe: area, region; tangata whenua: Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand; people(s) of the land; te reo Maori: the Maori language; te Tiriti o Waitangi: the Maori language version of the Treaty of Waitangi; tipuna/tupuna: ancestors; waka ama: canoe sport; wananga: meetings for discussion, deliberation, forums; whanau: family, extended family, or family-like group; whanaungatanga relationship, kinship, sense of family-like connections between people.