NZ First: Ditch Treaty from law

A New Zealand First candidate has announced a radical bid to scrap the Treaty of Waitangi from New Zealand law.

But the party’s leader Winston Peters has laughed off the comments and told media ‘‘that’s why she’s ranked 38 (on the list)’’.

Kym Koloni announced her plan at a fiery ‘meet the candidates’ event for the Northcote electorate on Monday night.

She envisions ditching the Waitangi Tribunal, removing all references to the Treaty of Waitangi from legislation, as well as removing iwi clauses in the Resource Management Act.

Koloni said, ‘‘We want Kiwi, not iwi,’’ as she underlined her party’s desire for universal law for as opposed to racist separatism.

Her address prompted cries of ‘‘shame’’ at the well-attended event.

‘‘Racism flourishes in our country. Our New Zealanders now can be treated differently based on our race,’’ she said.

To her policy promises, an audience member interrupted: ‘‘How is that not racist?’’

Undeterred Koloni ended her address by throwing handfuls of lollies at the crowd.

Peters said earlier on Tuesday that Koloni’s statements didn’t represent the party’s policies.

Beach Haven Birkdale Residents’ Association hosted the event at Beach Haven Hall on Monday night.

All candidates standing for the Northcote and Te Tai Tokerau electorates were invited, plus list representatives from other major parties.

Mental health, poverty and housing and taxes consumed most of the debate, with audience members challenging the health minister and incumbent MP Jonathan Coleman with their own personal stories.

Coleman struggled to speak, between the passionate Labour supporters. Equally, Labour’s Shanan Halbert was challenged by audience members when he did not answer a direct question to clarify what his role in the education sector was.

Green party candidate Godfrey Rudolph addressed Koloni’s comments in his address to the crowd.

‘‘I heard someone talking tonight about someone being colour-blind. If that’s the case, then these must be sunglasses,’’ Rudolph said.

Watch the full video on North Shore Time’s Facebook page.

LAINE MOGER/STUFF Cries of ‘‘shame’’ greeted NZ First candidate Kym Koloni’s slogan of ‘‘We want Kiwi, not iwi.’’