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The Green Party on Race Relations and Immigration
The Green Party agrees that restitution to iwi for the loss of life, hardship, and injustice suffered by them at the hands of the State should occur swiftly, without delay, and without undue cost, but does not support imposing a time limit on tiriti settlements. The Green Party believes that the settlement process, as it stands, is not equitable for Māori.
The Green Party supports repealing the Foreshore and Seabed Act. The Green Party supported the right of tangata whenua to pursue their recognised customary title ahead of the foreshore and seabed being vested in the Crown. The Green Party concurs with a Waitangi Tribunal report that concluded that the Government should go back to the drawing board and negotiate a process forward with Māori. When the Act was passed MP Metiria Turei said, “This legislation is a direct descendant of the racist legislation of our colonial forebears and, to our shame, it is done in the name of all New Zealanders”.
The Green Party fully supports the retention of the Maori seats, and supports the entrenchment of the Māori seats so that there is guaranteed Māori representation in Parliament
A completely open immigration policy would be unmanageable. The Greens would ensure that voluntary immigration is managed in the national interest accepting immigrants who will bring skills, capital, or other desirable attributes with them. This number will inevitably fluctuate over time. The Greens also have a strong commitment towards international refugees and accepting our responsibilities as an international citizen to act justly towards them.