Media statement
For immediate release
5 February 2009

Hon Peter Dunne
MP for Ohariu
Leader of UnitedFuture

Dunne: Don’t blow new Waitangi spirit – let’s move New Zealand forward

New Zealanders have a huge opportunity to start shaping the country they want to live in, UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne said on the eve of Waitangi Day.

“I think after years of divisive and confrontational Waitangi Days, perhaps there’s a collective sigh of relief that we have moved through that, but there is a big risk that out of sheer relief, we will blow the chance to really shape this country by settling for a ‘safe’ debate.

“As a nation, we need to seize the moment and talk about things that matter and not be timid. What kind of New Zealand do we really want to live in and how can we get there?” he said.

“Maori, Pakeha, all our communities – we really need to talk openly and honestly. There is a lot of goodwill in all communities right now. Let’s use that as our starting point.”

Mr Dunne said the biggest risk is that true constitutional debate will be derailed by an “earnest exercise in sophistry” based on National and the Maori Party “both trying to save face over the future of the Maori seats”.

“That’s just one issue. New Zealand’s future is much bigger and broader than that, and we need to start having those debates and mapping a path to a more whole New Zealand,” he said.

“Let’s not be a country too scared and lacking in self-confidence to honestly debate the kind of future we want.”

Mr Dunne said that UnitedFuture remained the only political party with a comprehensive programme of constitutional review.

Key elements of that programme include:

• A referendum on the future of MMP in 2010
• A referendum on the future of Maori seats in conjunction with the MMP referendum, with a view to abolishing the seats by 2014. (Giving effect to the recommendation in the 1986 Royal Commission on the Electoral System.)
• Moving towards New Zealand becoming a republic within the Commonwealth by 2017, with a referendum in this term of Parliament on having our own Head of State.
• Establish a New Zealand Day separate from Waitangi Day to celebrate our nation’s history, multicultural society.
• Investigate an extension of the parliamentary term to four years, with a fixed election day.
• Introduce a Multicultural Act, similar to Canada, to preserve and enhance multiculturalism.
• Ensure school pupils understand their civic rights and responsibilities, and central and local government structures, and how they can access them.
• Televise the Youth Parliament to give credence to the efforts of young people.
• Require immigrants to undertake a civics course before becoming New Zealand citizens, so they understand what it is to be a “Kiwi” and our society’s norms and expectations.
• Introduce a graded system towards citizenship based on citizenship as a privilege, not a right.

“This is still the most comprehensive constitutional reform policy on offer from any political party. New Zealanders are ready to take on and resolve these issues, and deserve the chance to do so.

“Half-hearted, politically correct – or even worse, politically convenient –debates will only sell this country short,” Mr Dunne said.

ENDS

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