"Auckland Peace Action condemns attempts by NZ First to enact a discriminatory law against new migrants and refugees
asking them to uphold NZ values. This proposed law is based on NZ First's fundamentally xenophobic and Islamophobic
views," said Valerie Morse, member of Auckland Peace Action.
"Its amazing that NZ First thinks that New Zealanders uphold the values they are talking about: women are still fighting
for gender equality more than 175 years after this country was settled. Similarly the suggestion that new migrants
should be forbidden from campaigning against alcohol is actually contrary to NZ's existing Bill of Rights which allows
for freedom of speech and expression. Such examples illustrate how bizarre NZ First's approach is."
"The underlying reason for this proposed law is a racist and xenophobic worldview that fears other people and differing
cultures. Many migrant and refugee communities are experiencing daily racism and institutionalised Islamophobia. Perhaps
NZ First could take up this real issue than targeting these vulnerable communities."
"Moreover NZ First has never been a champion of the foundational basis of this country: Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Until
Winston Peters becomes a champion of the real foundation of this county - the Tino Rangatiratanga guaranteed by the
Treaty - then his party's proposals are just populist hypocrisy of the worst sort."