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Labour Party on Race Relations and Immigration
Labour opposes settling all Treaty claims by 2014 or 2015. Instead its policy says, “Labour will continue to negotiate and settle claims with mandated groups and aim to settle all historical claims by 2020”. A spokesperson says, “Labour views the settlement of Treaty Claims as an important step in to moving forward together as a nation. That is why Labour set the goal of having all historic claims lodged by 1 September 2008, and to have all claims settled by 2020”.
Labour supports the Foreshore and Seabed Act. A spokesperson says, “it benefits Maori by upholding their mana and their rights of the Foreshore and Seabed in their rohe. We are working with iwi to protect their customary rights while preserving public access. Already two Foreshore and Seabed agreements have been signed between iwi and the Crown, with Ngati Porou now in the final stages of theirs”.
Labour is strongly committed to keeping the Māori seats as long as Maori want them. "I have a huge problem with a Pakeha majority in a New Zealand Parliament legislating away the Maori seats," leader Helen Clark said on NewstalkZB in September, 2008.
The New Zealand Herald reported in October 2008 that Labour would “Keep migrant numbers at about 50,000 but take a "Kiwis First" approach to work permits for low-skilled jobs”. A party pokesperson says, “This government has implemented immigration policies that meet our labour needs while protecting New Zealand jobs and conditions, and protecting guest workers from unfair practices.