27 November 2000

Graham Capill
Party Leader

“The recent attack on the Government’s ‘closing the gaps’ policies by New Zealand First is shamefully opportunistic. Their new policy philosophies also are suspiciously similar to the consistent welfare and family policies of the Christian Heritage Party,” Rosemarie Thomas, Welfare Spokesperson for the Christian Heritage Party said.

“It is ridiculously ironic that Winston Peters now condemns policies that aim to improve conditions for Maori and Pacific peoples, since in 1991 when he was Minister of Maori Affairs, he enthusiastically released the Ka Awatea report. This report exposed the realities experienced by the Maori population and the incapacities of welfare institutions to meet their needs, resulting in the formation of Te Puni Kokiri. “It seems to be just a ‘race’ game in politics for Mr Peters, rather than dealing with real issues,” claims Rosemarie Thomas.

As for his apparent ‘new’ found family values, such as, the importance of marriage, security and protection of children, and tax incentives for families, Rosemarie Thomas argues that these have been the foundations of Christian Heritage Party Policy since its creation. As stated in its manifestos, Christian Heritage Party has always been committed to these values. “The Christian Heritage Party believes in its ability to make a difference – not just get votes! We refuse to adopt simplistic and political excuses for the condition of our nation and truly believe we can make a difference to the welfare of our people,” she said.

Commenting on the recent statement from Mr Charles Waldgrave of the Family Centre in Lower Hutt, Rosemarie Thomas agrees that the existence of poverty in this country is a sign of social and economic policy failures. In fact, many problems remain as a result of political haggling, rushed policies and insufficient planning and implementation of policies. “Even though these are complex problems that have no simple answers, if the genetic code can be broken, surely so can social codes.” Time, effort and will, can manage or resolve many problems in New Zealand.

Rosemarie Thomas comments that the effectiveness of policies such as “closing the gaps” will take longer than an election term to unfold, but like many other policies in the history of this nation, will be terminated by a following government. “This type of politics and short-sightedness makes the policy environment in New Zealand a disaster, not for politicians, but for ordinary people and families who deserve better. This lack of consistency has been a hazard that Christian Heritage has avoided by standing firmly with the Party’s time-proven values and standards,” she said.

Rosemarie Thomas cautions voters to analyse carefully the political games played by parties such as New Zealand First. Its new family values may attract attention but voters can find their origin in Christian Heritage Party Policy. The Party’s values will not be changing according to the political climate. Christian Heritage has proved its faithfulness to its values and will continue to push for the welfare of families as a means to strengthen this nation,” she concluded.

Contact: Social Policy Spokesperson: Rosemarie Thomas: (025) 846 627
Party Leader: Graham Capill: Direct Line: (03) 352 6720 Mobile: (021) 661 766

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