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Saturday, May 31, 2025

Matua Kahurangi: ACT is defending equal rights for all New Zealanders


This morning, the ACT Party shared a bold message on X, outlining nine key actions they have taken in government to uphold a principle many politicians talk about but few are willing to put into practice: equal rights for all New Zealanders. The post reads, “Fairness is making a comeback. ACT is turning the tide on race-based rules.” and is backed by a clear list of policy achievements.

At a time when identity politics has become increasingly dominant, ACT is making the case for fairness based on need, merit, and individual dignity, rather than race or background.

Here is a closer look at each of the nine initiatives highlighted in ACT’s post and what they mean for the future of New Zealand.

1. Directed public services be delivered based on need,not race
Public services should be allocated to people based on their circumstances, not their ethnicity. ACT’s policy ensures that the most vulnerable New Zealanders receive the help they need, regardless of heritage. This approach avoids special treatment and supports a more inclusive and needs-based system.

2. Ended race-based surgical waitlists
Healthcare must be based on clinical urgency and medical need. By ending race-based prioritisation in surgical waitlists, ACT has taken a stand for equality in our health system. Everyone deserves to be treated according to the seriousness of their condition, not the colour of their skin.

3. Repealed Three Waters
ACT supported the repeal of Three Waters to restore democratic accountability and local control. The policy’s co-governance elements raised concerns about unequal representation. Repealing it returns power to communities and ensures that all residents have the same say in how local water infrastructure is managed.

4. Disestablished Māori Health Authority
The Māori Health Authority created a parallel health structure based on race. ACT believes in a single, high-quality health system for all. Disestablishing the authority helps unify healthcare delivery and focuses on improving outcomes across the board, not through separation but through integration.

5. Ended race-based procurement quotas
Government contracts should be awarded on merit and value for money. ACT ended racial quotas in procurement to make sure all businesses have the same opportunity to compete, regardless of the ethnicity of their owners. This encourages fairness, innovation, and economic growth for everyone.

6. Required eligibility age for bowel cancer screening to be the same for all
Preventive healthcare should be available to everyone on the same basis. ACT standardised the eligibility age for bowel cancer screening to ensure equal access. This removes racial distinctions and guarantees that every New Zealander is treated equally when it comes to early detection and care.

7. Restored local referendums on Māori wards
Democracy means letting communities have their say. ACT reinstated local referendums on Māori wards so that voters can decide how their councils are structured. This move respects local decision-making and ensures that representation is based on consent, not central government decree.

8. Removed race as a consideration in state care placements
Decisions about where children are placed in state care should be based on their best interests. ACT removed race as a factor in these decisions so that the focus is on finding the safest, most supportive environment for each child. This puts children first and upholds the principle of individual care.

9. Reviewing race-based pathways for medical degree
Medical school entry should reflect merit and potential. ACT is reviewing race-based pathways into medical degrees to ensure that selection is based on capability and commitment. This reassures the public that future healthcare professionals are chosen fairly and are held to the same high standards.

One standard for all New Zealanders

ACT’s vision is simple: one standard of citizenship, one rule of law, and equal treatment for all. These reforms are not about ignoring history or undermining identity. They are about rejecting racial division in public policy and embracing a future where fairness and equality come first.

This morning’s post on X was more than a political update. It was a statement of principle, a promise to defend equal rights, and a call to bring New Zealanders together under the values that unite us all.

Matua Kahurangi is just a bloke sharing thoughts on New Zealand and the world beyond. No fluff, just honest takes. He blogs on https://matuakahurangi.com/ where this article was sourced.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

And that is all fair minded NZers are asking for! Why can’t Luxon see that?

Robert Arthur said...

The ending of race based procurement advantage unfortumately does not extend to Councils. In Auckland in a topic of interest to me, contracts in the Regional parks are required to be pitched towrd maori.

Anonymous said...

The simple fact that public doesn't want this enough tells that NZ is racist... More effectively than the superficial claim made by Taika Waititi, albeit in the reverse!

Anonymous said...

“Fairness is making a comeback”?
Sounds like a pitch for votes to me. I will believe it when ALL apartheid treaty related Acts and statutes are removed from our legislation once and for all. Until then, it’s just another politicians whose lips are moving.

Anonymous said...

How does NZ look like from an international standpoint ?
Why should any of these be challenged and simply accepted as being normal for a First World country ?

rouppe said...

That's on Luxon. Seymour has a simple method of dealing with that, which Luxon and Peters nixed.

Their approach of picking through all the legislation is slow, and by the time they're ready won't go through parliament because it'll be too close to the election and Luxon won't want the bad press the msm will definitely provide

Anonymous said...

This far along from the change of government should we even need to be discussing these concerns? National does seem to be the weak link in these matters.

anonymous said...

Removing references to the Treaty in legislation was part of the Nat/NZF coalition agreement- but Goldsmith and Potaka are in charge of the process. Already certain laws - central to the Treaty - are exempt.

Anonymous said...

Broken promises by Luxon and National - I'll never trust them or vote for them again despite my support over many elections.