Simon O'Connor: The vanguard argument

Too often debates on topics are reduced to one phrase "this is not good for Māori". While this may apply in some instances, it is now deployed so often that it has become a nonsense.

In recent days, the government has announced its intention to reform electoral laws. There are several proposed changes, but one of note is the intention to end election day registration – that is, the ability of someone to walk into a polling booth on election day, sign up for the electoral roll, and then cast a special vote.

Mike's Minute: We changed the election laws because we're hopeless

If you want to get a bit angsty about the voting changes, the one everyone seems to have missed is the one about how it's being changed because we are so hopeless.

On the “disenfranchised” side of the equation, I have little, if any, time for it.