New Zealanders have told us they’re sick of race being put at the centre of everything the government does. ACT campaigned on real change, and now we’re delivering.

Friday, Cabinet directed all government agencies to:

1) Target public services based on need, not race.

2) Award government contracts based on value for money, not whether the business is a Māori business.

Policies like race-based surgical waitlists and GP services are corrosive to an inclusive multi-ethnic society. The emphasis for the public service will now be fitting services to the needs of every New Zealander.

Under Labour, government departments were told that eight per cent of their contracts must go to Māori-owned providers. It was a travesty that saw certain businesses gain unfair advantage just because the directors could identify the ‘right’ people in their family tree.

Scrapping these policies fulfils two commitments made in ACT’s coalition agreement.

ACT is committed to equal rights. That’s why we are also:

• Repealing section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act which took kids away from loving homes because their foster parents were the wrong ethnicity
• Restoring referendums on council Māori Wards to empower you to decide how your community should be represented
• Stopping co-governance – we’ve scrapped Three Waters and the Māori Health Authority.

Meanwhile, ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill has been approved by Cabinet. This bill would deliver on the Treaty’s promise of nga tikanga katoa rite tahi – the same rights and duties for all New Zealanders. You will be able to submit on the Treaty Principles Bill at Select Committee, and we encourage you to make your voice heard.

I’d like acknowledge everyone who has contributed to our Treaty Principles Bill advertising campaign so far. You’ll soon hear more about the ads we’re rolling out nationwide.

Thank you for recognising the common humanity of every New Zealander.

David Seymour ACT Leader