"Filipinos are model NZ citizens"
...Dr. Paul Hutchinson (National MP, Port Waikato)
by Nilda Gregorio
Diario Filipino No. 28/December 2004
National Party�s high profile MPs PaulHutchison, Port Waikato (4th from left); Wayne Mapp, North Shore (6th from left); Richard Worth, Epsom (9th from left); Pansy Wong, NZ first Asian MP (10th from left); and Georgina TeHeuheu, QSO (extreme right) National�s Maori MP, with some Filipino community leaders.
In an apparent preparation for next year�s general election, the National party of New Zealand held an audience with the Filipino community last November 26 at the Price Waterhouse building in the city. A major political party like National believes that diferent ethnic groups now play an important role in any electoral contest and they found the Filipino community is no exception.
Although the party�s leader was not present due to a previous commitment, the party was well represented by such notable MPs as Dr. Wayne Mapp, MP for North Shore and spokesman for Labour and Industrial Relations; Richard Worth, MP for Epsom and spokesman for Justice, Attorney General; Hon. Georgina te Heuheu QSO, List MP and spokeswoman for Broadcasting, Arts, Culture and Heritage; Pansy Wong, the first Asian MPand spokeswoman for Revenue and Asian Relationships; Dr. Paul Hutchison, MP for Port Waikato that covers South Auckland all the way to Hamilton and the spokesman for the Asociate Health, Asociate Welfare, ACC.
In an interview with Dr. Hutchison, he was grateful and very keen for having such meeting as a forum for exchanging ideas and discusing issues of mutual interests.The good doctor also said that the National Party recognised the Filipinos as hardworking and well qualified and New Zealand is fortunate to have such migrant group in such a diverse society. He also mentioned that the party and the community shared a common bond as both strongly represent family values and enthusiasm for faith � components that makeastrong community and a strong New Zealand. It alsorepresented smal and medium sized busines all around the country as party believed in rewarding people�s hard work and self reliance which is also one of the Filipino traits. He noted that the Filipinos are model NZ citizens and has the lowest unemployment rate in the country.
Next year's election will see National campaigning on five areas: 1) To put up policies that promote economic growth and how to sustain it. 2) Promote choice and excelence in education to al New Zealanders expect ing them to exercise responsibility. 3) As National would like to help everyone, it would like to se the people rewarded for hardwork and become independent from the state. Welfare dependency wil be discouraged. 4) Will work hard to provide domestic and international safety and security to the people, and 5) Maintain one standard of citizenship, celebrate cultural diversity and believe in one person, one vote, under one law.
The National party promised more discussions and open forums in the future as they would like to se more Filipinos listen to what the party stands for and represents.