New Zealand was once a bi-cultural nation. Over the past couple of decades, immigration has meant New Zealand has become increasingly multicultural. Pasifika, Asian and Indian New Zealanders have joined with Maori and Pakeha to create a unique fabric of society made up of many rich strands.
However, it is our Maori that are over-represented in our prison population, welfare statistics and unemployment. Instead of focussing on the very real challenges of making education, welfare, and the broader society work better for Maori, our government has increasingly shown a misplaced tendency to give separate legal status to Maori over other New Zealanders.
For example, the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act potentially gives some iwi developmental and veto rights over vast tracts of foreshore and seabed - beyond the customary rights they might be entitled to if left to the common law to determine.
The focus must be on lifting Maori out of poverty. Creating special laws and rules for one group of people will not do that. No one likes to be treated like they need help because they’re different. We need to move together as one, so all New Zealanders can live a more prosperous and rewarding life.
In the last Parliamentary term, with ACT’s pressure and support, the government:
• Refused to establish race-based seats on the new Auckland Council;
• In some cases upheld the principles of the treaty of Waitangi, particularly in regard to property rights and quality before the law.
ACT will keep working for One Law for All New Zealanders. A Party Vote for ACT is a vote to:
• Allow more choice in education and health, to encourage practices that will help Maori to reverse the negative social statistics;
• Accelerate the Treaty compensation process;
• Remove from general legislation, such as the Resource Management Act, any special requirement to consult any named racial group;
• Discourage or discontinue separate racially based boards such as the Maori Statutory Board set up in conjunction with the Auckland Council;
• Have parliament elected only by general electorates with no separate racially based seats;
• Remove the option for local governments to establish wards on a racial basis.