JULIE SANDILANDS

In Aotearoa, especially, we are all immigrants or the descendants of immigrants. In order to provide a high-quality of life for all New Zealanders, we should manage immigration levels in a way that is sustainable, and our infrastructure and services need to be able to cope with New Zealand’s population. If we invest in health prevention, supporting families, a low-carbon, future-focused economy, affordable housing, and public transport, New Zealand can easily support and benefit from current immigration levels. If we fail to invest in these areas, the burden on our public services and natural environment will continue to grow (through increased need for health spending on obesity related diseases, for example), even if immigration levels drop. Immigrants benefit New Zealand through new ideas and new ways of doing things. Immigrants are often highly entrepreneurial, and bring skills and ideas that can take us places, and lift living standards for everyone. We also have a commitment as part of the international community to take in refugees. Some people worry that immigration threatens our way of life. It is important that we treasure the positive aspects of New Zealand culture. Therefore, the Green Party proposes that all immigrants receive training on Te Tiriti o Waitangi. However, it is also important that we don’t see ourselves through rose coloured glasses. New Zealand culture and way of life has many positive aspects, but we also have a drinking culture, a rape culture, high levels of domestic violence