Ethnic Affairs

UnitedFuture believes that New Zealand could be the world’s first truly multi cultural, multi ethnic nation, where the New Zealander of the future is equally at home in the environs of Asia, Europe, and the Pacific, and able to draw from all those heritages.

UnitedFuture policy is to:

  • Pass a “Multiculturalism Act” to give formal recognition to New Zealand’s growing multicultural status. Such an act would:
    1. ensure that everyone enjoys equal treatment and protection under the law, while respecting and valuing their diversity
    2. advance the understanding that multiculturalism reflects the cultural and racial diversity of New Zealand society
    3. foster the recognition and appreciation of the diverse cultures of New Zealand society and promote the expression of those cultures
    4. encourage and support New Zealand's public institutions to be respectful and inclusive of New Zealand's multicultural character.
  • Hold an early referendum on the future of the Maori seats in Parliament, as UnitedFuture believes that no ethnicity should have special privilege above others in our proportional electoral system.
  • Devise comprehensive and integrated immigrant settlement programmes, in consultation with the Federation of Ethnic Councils, to ensure that all new immigrants receive full information and ongoing support on all aspects of New Zealand society, including language, customs, job placement programmes, health and social services.
  • Establish a nationally coordinated "mentor" programme whereby all those accepted for migration to New Zealand are put in touch with a trained volunteer mentor prior to arrival in New Zealand. The mentor will, through the process of preparing to migrate and the first 12 months within New Zealand be able to discuss settlement issues and direct migrants to necessary specialist resources.
  • Focus efforts on ensuring that those who arrive in New Zealand under the family or humanitarian quotas are supported into viable training and employment opportunities, to enable them to obtain financial independence and to counter negative stereotypes about some migrant groups.
  • Establish a retirement visa to allow parents of permanent residents and citizens to be sponsored to settle in New Zealand, provided the majority of immediate family members are already resident in New Zealand.