Q + A – 8 October 2011

On Q+A this week…

Maori make up only around 15% of New Zealand’s population, but account for more than half our prison inmates. Is this down to poverty, higher rates of offending or, as Maori Party co-Leader Dr Pita Sharples claims, a systemic bias against Maori? Dr Sharples makes his case to Guyon Espiner live in our Auckland studio.

Then, Labour Party finance spokesperson David Cunliffe has been highly critical of National’s performance in light of New Zealand’s recent credit downgrade – but what would Labour do if elected to power?

Finally, with a referendum soon to decide the future of our voting system, two MPs debate their personal views on the merits and failings of MMP. Like John Key, National MP Simon Bridges favours a change to a Supplementary Member system, while Labour’s Lianne Dalziel backs the status quo.

Joining Dr Jon Johansson on the panel are former Waitakere Mayor and Labour Party President Bob Harvey and former NZ First MP and Carterton Mayor Ron Mark.

Q+A, 9-10am Sundays on TV ONE. Repeats at 9.10pm Sundays, 9:05am and 1:05pm Mondays on TVNZ 7