Pm Asks Governor-General To Withdraw Delamere's Warrant
MEDIA STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday 24 November 1999
PM ASKS GOVERNOR-GENERAL TO WITHDRAW DELAMERE'S WARRANT
Prime Minister Jenny Shipley today advised the Governor-General to withdraw Immigration Minister Tuariki John
Delamere's warrant as Minister of Immigration following disclosure that he authorised permanent residence for Chinese
investors, so long as they invested in specific Maori projects.
"The deal that Mr Delamere has done, giving the option of permanent residence to Chinese investors so long as they
invest in Maori only projects, is not appropriate.
"By offering permanent residence in New Zealand so long as investors invest in projects which he dictates, is
unacceptable and will be repugnant to all New Zealanders.
"In New Zealand we have one law for all. It is unacceptable for a Minister of Immigration to use his position to make
decisions that favour one group of people above others.
"Where we have different sets of rules for specific purposes, these have been clearly spelt out and agreed by Cabinet.
This was not done in this case.
"Mr Delamere's own department advised him that he was effectively creating new policy. He can not create new policy
without the sanction of Cabinet.
"I have not taken this step lightly, but made this decision in the interests of protecting the integrity of our
immigration system," Mrs Shipley said.
The Prime Minister said Wyatt Creech would take over as Acting Minister of Immigration and she had asked him to look
immediately at whether the approvals Mr Delamere had granted could be rescinded.
ENDS