HUMAN RIGHTS IN NEW ZEALAND 20 1 0 in 2007 – the lowest turnout since the restructuring The diversity of ethnic groups represented in Parliament of local government in 1989. The drop was relatively rose sharply with the introduction of MMP in 1996 and constant across all regions, 36 but there were considerable has increased steadily in subsequent general elections. In variations between rural and urban areas. For example, 2008, 31 per cent of MPs identified as Mäori, Pacific or smaller communities and those in the South Island tended Asian, and the proportion of MPs identifying as Pacific or to have a higher turnout for all types of election. Asian were the highest recorded. 37 A similar proportion Representation and non-discrimination of Mäori were elected to Parliament in 2008 as the percentage of Mäori in the population overall (16 per Participation is heavily influenced by who speaks for cent of MPs identified as Mäori, compared with 15 per communities and who is represented on decision-making bodies. Only when those directly affected by policy and cent of the total population in 2006). The proportion of legislation have a genuine voice in deciding its formation Pacific peoples in Parliament (4 per cent) was smaller than can a governance structure be said to truly reflect the their share of the population (7 per cent), while the Asian society it represents. ethnic group had the lowest representation (5 per cent of all MPs, compared with 10 per cent of the population). 38 Representation at the national level Mäori seats have contributed to a more representa- Under the FPP electoral system, women’s representation tive Parliament. The MMP system has also resulted in a in Parliament increased from 13 per cent in 1984 to 21 Parliament that better reflects the social and political per cent in 1993, but as with Mäori, it rose significantly composition of the electorate, with more Mäori, Pacific in the first MMP election in 1996. Following the 2008 and Asian MPs, a greater number of women, and openly general election, 41 (33.6 per cent) of the 122 seats gay MPs. were held by women, compared with 32 per cent after Table 2: Members of Parliament identifying as MÄori, Pacific or Asian 1984–2008, 18 FPP 18 MMP 16 16 14 14 12 12 10 10 8 8 6 6 4 4 2 2 0 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 election year Source: Wilson and Anderson (2008), Statistics New Zealand, Estimated National Ethnic Population 1996, 2001, 2006; MSD (2009), The Social Report 2009. 36 Brady (2003), cited in MSD (2009) 37 Brady (2003), cited in MSD (2009), p 74 38 ibid 2002 Mäori 2005 Pacific Peoples 0 2008 Asian Percentage of the total population Percentage of all members of parliament (bars) and Mäori, Pacific or Asian share of the total population 83