Human rights are universal, not based on ancestry

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The Labour government is presenting New Zealanders with a false choice.

It says that if we want to right the wrongs of the past, cherish Māori language and culture, and give all New Zealanders equal opportunity, then we must throw out universal human rights in favour of co-government.

Parties on the left, led by Labour, promote decision-making made by two parties jointly co-governing when it comes to regulatory decisions and government service delivery. ACT would overturn the obsession with co-government, replacing it with a more liberal outlook that treats all humans with equal dignity.

ACT’s stance is truer to the Treaty, which guarantees all people “ngā tikanga katoa rite tahi” - the same rights and duties.

New Zealanders have a vision of a country where we are all afforded the same rights and duties, and ancestry does not afford greater or lesser legal and political rights.

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ACT hears ya, and ACT shares this vision.

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ACT would make three major changes to alter New Zealand’s course:

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  1. Clearly define the “principles of the Treaty of Waitangi,” a term increasingly creatively interpreted to justify co-government, by passing a Treaty Principles Act through Parliament and putting it to referendum for confirmation by the people.
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  2. Reverse race-based policies, such as three waters legislation, a Māori Health authority, and Resource Management law that requires consultation based on race.
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  3. Reorient the public service to target need based on robust data instead of lazy ethnicity-based targeting.

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ACT will fight for democracy; it will be a key campaign platform for us and an important part of any coalition negotiations. We have practical initiatives we can implement in Government.

David Seymour MP
Authorised by David Seymour MP, ACT Party Leader, Parliament Buildings, Wellington