Explore Candidates New Zealand Maori Party on Foreign Policy and Trade

Maori Party on Foreign Policy and Trade

Maori Party strongly opposes unrestricted free trade

The Maori Party “supports fair trade rather than free trade,” a spokesperson says. “Fair trade promotes environmentally sustainable growth, rights for workers, the status of tangata whenua, and it benefits local economies. It can also protect and affirm the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the countries involved”.

Maori Party strongly opposes the involvement of New Zealand troops in military operations in Afghanistan

The Maori Party supports a global peacekeeping role for New Zealand troops only. Dr Pita Sharples has said, “When our New Zealand SAS troops confronted their enemy in Afghanistan, it was not clear to me who was maintaining homeland security, and who was fighting terrorism. The Defence Minister needs to consult tangata whenua on these issues before New Zealand troops are deployed overseas to fight terrorism.

Maori Party supports raising our overseas aid budget to 0.7 percent of Gross National Income

The Maori Party does not specifically support the UN’s 0.7 percent target. It says, “Targets for international aid need to be purpose specific, and appropriately supported by policy, legislation and regulations. There should be no activities undermining our international aid efforts”.

Maori Party is neutral on improving and renewing New Zealand's bi-lateral relationship with the United States

The priority of the Maori Party is in establishing and fostering trade relationships “with other indigenous peoples”.

Maori Party is neutral on actively pursuing a Free Trade Agreement with the United States

The Maori Party does not actively promote an FTA with America. It “supports fair trade rather than free trade. Fair trade promotes environmentally sustainable growth, rights for workers, the status of tangata whenua, and it benefits local economies. It can also protect and affirm the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the countries involved,” a spokesperson says.