New Zealand Must Help Zimbabwean Families

Monday 12 Aug 2002

ACT New Zealand acting leader Ken Shirley today wrote to Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff to recommend New Zealand allow displaced Zimbabwean farmers to resettle here.

"Today, many of the 2,900 families forced from their properties by socialist dictator Robert Mugabe are suddenly homeless and in real danger. New Zealand should give those families special consideration for immigration based on humanitarian grounds.

"Mugabe's reign of terror and the collapse of democracy in Zimbabwe can only spell doom for that country.

"It is inconceivable for New Zealand to do nothing. We must act sensibly and compassionately.

"This situation highlights how reckless it is for NZ First to use the race card to close New Zealand's gates to immigrants.

"Experience shows us that people from Zimbabwe assimilate within New Zealand's culture well. Generally, Zimbabwean immigrants are very hard-working with a low incidence of social welfare dependency. They tend to be well-educated and fluent in English.

"I urge Mr Goff to give this matter his urgent attention. New Zealand can set a positive example for the rest of the world," Mr Shirley said.

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