Seymour suggested that migrants should sign a “New Zealand values statement,” which would reinforce the importance of free speech, gender equality, legal rights, religious freedom and individual liberty. These principles are already enshrined in the New Zealand Bill of Rights.
The ACT leader first proposed the idea in 2016 in response to rising concerns about social cohesion. His suggestion at the time sparked criticism from NZ First, with Winston Peters accusing Seymour of borrowing from their playbook. Now, both men are in government and both are raising the alarm about ensuring immigration serves New Zealand’s long-term interests.
Seymour told Newstalk ZB this week that the Government should seriously consider adopting such a policy. “If you want to be part of New Zealand, you should sign up to values like the equality of men and women, respect for the law, and the right to free expression,” he said.
ACT party’s constitution already refers to this idea. It states that citizenship or permanent residency should be contingent on affirming the democratic rights outlined in sections 12 to 18 of the NZ Bill of Rights Act. These include the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of association and freedom of expression.
Although Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has not raised the concept formally, there is precedent for it. Australia requires migrants to accept a values statement as part of the visa process. It outlines key principles such as respect for law, freedom of religion and the dignity of the individual.
NZ First has previously pushed for similar safeguards, including a bill that would have required migrants to sign a values statement before entry. Their concern, echoed by Peters again last week, is that too many migrants are arriving in New Zealand without understanding or respecting the social contract that underpins Kiwi society.
Critics of immigration policy often talk tough before elections, Seymour noted, but rarely follow through once in power. “You can’t shut immigration down completely,” he said, pointing to the needs of local businesses competing in a global market. But that does not mean we should open the floodgates without expecting anything in return.
A values statement would not restrict immigration. It would guide it. It would ensure that those coming to New Zealand understand what this country stands for and commit to upholding it. That is not xenophobic or extreme. It is common sense.
New Zealanders are right to expect that anyone who wants to live here understands and respects our laws, freedoms and social norms. If that is too much to ask, maybe this is not the right country for them.
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.
Seymour told Newstalk ZB this week that the Government should seriously consider adopting such a policy. “If you want to be part of New Zealand, you should sign up to values like the equality of men and women, respect for the law, and the right to free expression,” he said.
ACT party’s constitution already refers to this idea. It states that citizenship or permanent residency should be contingent on affirming the democratic rights outlined in sections 12 to 18 of the NZ Bill of Rights Act. These include the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of association and freedom of expression.
Although Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has not raised the concept formally, there is precedent for it. Australia requires migrants to accept a values statement as part of the visa process. It outlines key principles such as respect for law, freedom of religion and the dignity of the individual.
NZ First has previously pushed for similar safeguards, including a bill that would have required migrants to sign a values statement before entry. Their concern, echoed by Peters again last week, is that too many migrants are arriving in New Zealand without understanding or respecting the social contract that underpins Kiwi society.
Critics of immigration policy often talk tough before elections, Seymour noted, but rarely follow through once in power. “You can’t shut immigration down completely,” he said, pointing to the needs of local businesses competing in a global market. But that does not mean we should open the floodgates without expecting anything in return.
A values statement would not restrict immigration. It would guide it. It would ensure that those coming to New Zealand understand what this country stands for and commit to upholding it. That is not xenophobic or extreme. It is common sense.
New Zealanders are right to expect that anyone who wants to live here understands and respects our laws, freedoms and social norms. If that is too much to ask, maybe this is not the right country for them.
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.
11 comments:
Immigrants should be in no doubt they need to leave behind some of their customs not acceptable in NZ, or don’t come.
And if the immigrant or a family member breaks any part of this declaration their residency visa or citizenship for the family is rescinded; and they are deported. We do not want what is happening in the UK.
And New Zealanders should have a say in how many and where from as well.
And the ability to converse fluently in English or te Reo before permanent residency or citizenship.
The 'gender equality' one could be tricky - it will be applied to same-sex marriage and transsexual issues, things about which NZers disagree among themselves. But the zealots would see this as a perfect opportunity to pursue their social engineering agenda by filtering out any would-be immigrants who disagree with them,
"Australia requires migrants to accept a values statement as part of the visa process."
Except the Labor government took a large number from Gaza without proper checks.
I can see one religious group being upset by this as hey have shown in the U.K., that having been allowed in, they want to keep and sometimes impose their own laws, values and traditions, and even have their own Parliament, a kind of state within a state.
So, no problems there.
As long as they didn't take any from the apartheid ethno-state of Israel.
If one of these values will be uncritically accepting Te Tiriti and its undefined principles, count me out.
“These principles are already enshrined in the New Zealand Bill of Rights”.
You mean the “Bill of Government Does Whatever It Wants Rights”, right.
Will they also be told how they must Neel at the foot of almighty Māori.
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