Monday 29 July 2013

Maori Party – ‘The land is where the value lies’

The Maori Party has labelled Shearer’s new policy aimed at restricting foreigners from purchasing houses as ‘lip-service’, and has challenged the Labour Party to commit to real action to protect the assets of Aotearoa by extending their policies to prevent the sale of land and strategic assets into all and any foreign ownership.

“The Maori Party have a clear policy on land ownership, we must protect and preserve our land to keep it from falling into foreign ownership. The Labour Party’s housing policy, which would restrict foreigners from purchasing houses, is nonsensical as it discriminates against which foreigners it exempts and does nothing to protect the asset of true value to the people of Aotearoa – the land.”

“On one hand the Labour Party want to limit the purchase of residential property by overseas investors, but on the other they promote and support the free trade agenda which is entirely about easing rules for foreigners to do business, and invest in New Zealand assets.”

“There are other ways to do business with countries overseas which protect the rangatiratanga of New Zealanders over our resources. We think that both the Labour Party and the National Party have a duty to look at how we can protect our resources before they advance investment agreements such as the TPPA.”

“The Maori Party want to see our strategic assets protected, we want to know that our whenua will not be sold off under our feet. Tangata whenua have an intrinsic relationship with our lands and waters, and we have also had a long history of fighting for land rights – we know the value of this resource, and the need to protect it for our future generations.”

“Housing affordability is a major issue in New Zealand, but preventing the sale of houses to overseas investors does not fix the problem. We need to tackle this issue on a wide front which includes both ensuring New Zealanders have jobs, and are earning a fair living wage, as well as increasing housing supply and stability in the housing market. There are also wider issues that impact on housing affordability such as ensuring people are supported to reduce debt levels, increase savings, and that economic development is spread around the country.”

“Labour’s policy is another political stunt, and will not address the major issue of housing affordability. If they were serious about addressing the impact of globalisation on New Zealand they would move to protect our lands, our waters, and our resources – that is what the Maori Party policy is.”

“Our message to Shearer is this - don’t talk to us about protecting vulnerable whanau unless you are prepared to put your policy where your mouth is.”

ENDS

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