This is edition 2025/30 of the Ten@10 newsletter.
Welcome back. It's 2025 and 20 years since I started writing about politics and anything else that took my fancy. Thank to my VIP members for making this site what it is today. In July we will be having a 20th birthday celebration. Stay tuned for more announcements.
This is the Ten@10, where I collate and summarise ten news items you generally won't see in the mainstream media.
Enjoy!
1. Did the Electoral Commission cause Labour to lose Tāmaki Makaurau?
David Farrar
- 🗳️ Manurewa Marae's Voting Booth: The result at Manurewa Marae stands out as an anomaly, with the voting margin being 8 times higher than the overall electorate's.
- 🤔 Electoral Commission's Decision: The Marae's chief executive being a candidate raises doubts about the neutrality of placing a polling booth there. The impact on Peeni Henare’s seat is uncertain, but the possibility that it influenced the result cannot be ignored.
- ⚖️ Serious Implications: Any decision by the Electoral Commission that could affect election outcomes is a serious matter, as their role is to administer, not influence, elections.
- 📊 Parliamentary Impact: TPM's win at the Marae led to an extra seat in Parliament, raising concerns about fairness in the process.
- 🕵️♂️ Inquiry on the Table: Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is considering an inquiry into the Electoral Commission's handling of the Marae polling booth, with all options open for review.
- 🔍 Prime Minister's Response: Christopher Luxon has requested options for investigating the matter, citing genuine questions about policy and conduct.
- 🚨 Need for Confidence: There should be an inquiry to ensure trust in the Electoral Commission, as their decision may have prioritized voter turnout over fairness in elections.
