Gangs to vote – a hopeful sign for turnout?

Written By: - Date published: 11:02 am, May 29th, 2017 - 32 comments
Categories: democratic participation, election 2017 - Tags: , ,

Interesting piece by Maiki Sherman on Newshub yesterday:

Mongrel Mob, Black Power, Nomads, Tribesmen gangs unite to vote

There were unusual scenes in Wainuiomata on Saturday as members of the Mongrel Mob, Black Power, Nomads and the Tribesmen signed up for their right to vote in this year’s general election.

They registered with the electoral commission in a bid to mobilise the ‘gang vote’ ahead of the election in September.
…
Black Power and Mongrel Mob members told Newshub they are voting to make a difference for their families, and for their children to have a better world than what they’ve had.

Is this an isolated case or is it representative of a change of mood in the non-voting electorate? Labour failed to turn out the “missing million” in 2014 – it will be interesting if they put in an appearance this time.

32 comments on “Gangs to vote – a hopeful sign for turnout? ”

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  1. Muttonbird 1
    29 May 2017 at 12:01 pm

    It’s not clear if this is a Maori Party initiative, but if gang members want to “make a difference for their families, and for their children to have a better world than what they’ve had”, then they shouldn’t be considering the Maori Party.

    To do so would be a vote for the current government and therefore further reduction of support for the vulnerable.

    • mauī 1.1
      29 May 2017 at 12:51 pm

      They’ve got every right to vote for the Māori Party because what other political parties bothered to turn up? Why should they vote for some other party that doesn’t want to engage or identify with them.

      • Muttonbird 1.1.1
        29 May 2017 at 1:21 pm

        And yet incarceration rates, domestic violence, and income inequality for Maori have all increased under the Maori Party government so I wonder if this is yet another campaign tactic to hold power rather that actually make a difference to Maori.

  2. Cinny 2
    29 May 2017 at 12:18 pm

    Awesome, there are some of the missing votes. Really proud of them for opening their minds, and setting aside their personal divisions to learn more. Because sometimes working with the system rather than against it can also bring great change

    With a bit of momentum some of the other missing voters can do the same, because part of voting is knowing and understanding enough information to make an informed choice. Part of it is up to the candidates and their supporters (us). The rest is on them.

  3. Bill 3
    29 May 2017 at 12:25 pm

    Anthony. The NZ political landscape is stuck in the doldrums – it’s going nowhere. NZ Labour and the Greens are only offering to splash paddle this way a wee bit, or splash paddle that way a wee bit. Hardly inspiring.

    Last time I looked, people get engaged when they sense winds of change are bearing down.

  4. One Anonymous Bloke 4
    29 May 2017 at 12:33 pm

    they are voting to make a difference for their families, and for their children to have a better world than what they’ve had.

    It’s official: gang members have better ethics than National Party supporters.

  5. UncookedSelachimorpha 5
    29 May 2017 at 12:54 pm

    Great if the gangs vote, a good start on the missing million.

    What we need now is a “Corbyn-level” alternative to really give people something to sign up to – something that really would make a difference to a lot of people’s lives, rather than the various flavours of neoliberalism currently on offer.

    I notice that Hone Harawira probably already offers such a real alternative and a lot of his views align with people wanting “make a difference for their families, and for their children to have a better world than what they’ve had.” My ignorance – but I’ve never completely understood why he isn’t much more popular on the left. His comments on the budget were pretty good I thought

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1705/S00413/homeless-still-helpless-after-budget.htm

  6. JC 6
    29 May 2017 at 1:52 pm

    I wonder if this will include those members already in prison… “The missing million”

    ” “The Court has ruled that the High Court was right to declare that National’s 2010 prisoner voting restrictions (the ones which were so shabby and shoddily passed that they brought Parliament into disrepute) were inconsistent with the Bill of Rights Act“”

    http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2017/05/a-constitutional-change.html

    https://thestandard.org.nz/nrt-a-constitutional-change/

    Not on Bills watch I’m guessing..

  7. Chris 7
    29 May 2017 at 2:49 pm

    I have always found it quite funny that Labour are so convinced the famous “missing million” must be Labour voters

    • Chris 7.1
      29 May 2017 at 5:23 pm

      Because they know they’ve pissed so many people off?

      • Sabine 7.1.1
        29 May 2017 at 7:33 pm

        nah, because they are not voting National either.

        but maybe they are pissed of National voters?

  8. fender 8
    29 May 2017 at 3:42 pm

    Whanau Ora must still be dishing out money for drug deals, great work Maori Party.

    • Bill 8.1
      29 May 2017 at 5:10 pm

      Nothing quite like a bit of casual racism. It’s so…what’s the word?

      • fender 8.1.1
        29 May 2017 at 6:27 pm

        This is what I’m talking about. But don’t let that stop you throwing accusations about.

        • Draco T Bastard 8.1.1.1
          29 May 2017 at 9:14 pm

          And where’s the proof that Whānau Ora knew it was funding a drug deal?

          You’re the one throwing around dishonest accusations.

          • fender 8.1.1.1.1
            29 May 2017 at 9:32 pm

            If I had said they knowingly dished out money for such a purpose you’d have a point.

            • Bill 8.1.1.1.1.1
              29 May 2017 at 9:50 pm

              I guess you just forgot to type the word “accidentally” or “inadvertently” or any other word that might have indicated they weren’t willfully handing out money for drugs.

              That happens. I’m sure you weren’t meaning to imply complicity on their part. 🙄

            • Draco T Bastard 8.1.1.1.1.2
              29 May 2017 at 10:10 pm

              You said “Whanau Ora must still be dishing out money for drug deals” which is a fairly clear accusation that they were knowingly handing out money for drug deals.

              As I said – RWNJs are fucken cowards. Called on your BS you run and hide behind false semantics rather than own your responsibility.

              • fender …
                29 May 2017 at 10:37 pm

                You clearly don’t understand the concept of negligence or poor practice.

                But you obviously have no problems with abuse in an over the top manner where people suddenly become RWNJs.

                Thank goodness for keyboards to keep the public safe from the likes of you, keep typing MOFO

  9. Sabine 9
    29 May 2017 at 7:47 pm

    NZ would be silly to underestimate the Maori vote. As far as i know many of them are as sick of the current National led Government and its unelected PM and Vice PM then us who are Pakeha, Pasifica, Asians and more. .

    So yeah, i hope these guys all going to vote come election day.

  10. The Real Matthew 10
    29 May 2017 at 8:17 pm

    “Black Power and Mongrel Mob members told Newshub they are voting to make a difference for their families, and for their children to have a better world than what they’ve had”

    Or they could leave the criminal organisations they are voluntarily part of…….

    • Draco T Bastard 10.1
      29 May 2017 at 9:09 pm

      A lot of people join gangs for the sense of community that they get from doing so. Something that our community hasn’t really extended to everyone.

    • greywarshark 10.2
      29 May 2017 at 9:21 pm

      “Or they could leave the criminal organisations they are voluntarily part of…”
      And join the National Party, they have had good basic training. now go to the elite college to become masters of their art.

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