New Zealand: Maori Party – At Best Illogical

A curious claim was made by New Zealand’s Maori party a few days ago. Party leader, Tariana Turia, claimed New Zealand’s immigration policies were stifling the “browning” of New Zealand.

Ms Turia is unhappy that the proportion of Maori in New Zealand’s population is not rising as rapidly as she had hoped because, she says, of immigration from “white” countries such as the UK. Ms Turia said:

“The prediction is that by the year 2050 we are going to see a considerable browning-up of New Zealand with Maori, Pacific and Asians – and maybe this is the way the Government combats it.”

Prime Minister Helen Clark said the suggestion was ridiculous.

“Our country has been built on migration. You’re part of it, I’m part of it, our forefathers were part of it.”

National Party leader John Key said the Maori Party was correct to say the population increase had diluted the growth of the Maori roll.

“But that is a very small issue in my view in relation to the bigger one of what not having those people coming to New Zealand would represent.”

New Zealand – like many economies – has a shortage of skilled workers. New Zealand’s immigration policies, summarised here, have their basis in bringing skilled people into New Zealand’s economy. People who have in-demand skills and who speak English fluently are given priority in the country’s immigration programme.

In a masterful display of illogical thinking, Ms Turia went on to say that her views were not racist because they were aimed at immigrants from Great Britain, Europe, Canada, and Australia and were not aimed at Asians.