Media Release
04 March 2004
New Zealanders Becoming Economic Refugees
New Zealand First is warning the Government that they risk creating economic refugees and rural ghettos because of the
new limited employment locations policy.
“The Government is creating a dangerous precedent with this move to dictate where we live and is ignoring the potential
of employment development outside of our major cities,” said social services spokesperson, Bill Gudgeon.
“The policies of this Labour-led Government to create limited employment locations further attacks beneficiaries who
move to rural areas to survive.
”These people are New Zealand’s own refugees. They are economic refugees created by open door immigration and sky
rocketing house prices and a struggling social structure.
“What’s more we are creating ghettos in our own backyard, both in rural areas and in the cities.
“New Zealand First reminds the Government that the community wage concept is a more equitable solution than the
ideological programme it has embarked on.
“If there is a scheme that will be disastrous this is it and New Zealand First is warning the Government of the terrible
effects it will have on the Nation,” said Mr Gudgeon.
ENDS