A tad worrying

This one could turn into a bit of a hot potato. :o

Maori Party call for migrant cutback
By DAN EATON - The Dominion Post | Monday, 26 February 2007

The Maori Party is calling for limits on immigration from Western countries, accusing the Government of trying to stop the "browning of New Zealand".

Party founder and co-leader Tariana Turia said it was most concerned about traditional source countries such as Australia, Canada and Britain.

The Maori Party has mooted the plan after Statistics New Zealand dashed hopes for an eighth Maori seat in Parliament at the next election because too few people, relative to overall population growth, opted to sign on to the Maori electoral roll.

"What we are talking about is the number of people coming into this country and what that means for Maori political representation," Mrs Turia said.

The move is reminiscent of NZ First leader Winston Peters' calls before the 1996 election for immigration to be "cut to the bone", which gained wide international attention.

More here .

Maori Party's stance on immigration attacked
8:30AM Tuesday February 27, 2007


Tariana Turia

The Maori Party's comments that immigration policy is a deliberate ploy to stop "the browning of New Zealand" has been rejected by a recruitment consultant.

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia said it was predicted that by the year 2050 there will be a significant number of people with Maori, Pacific Island and Asian backgrounds.

She accused the Government of trying to prevent that by encouraging immigration from traditional countries such as Australia, Britain and Canada.

Ms Turia said such a move has an impact on the political representation of Maori.

More here .