Indians in New Zealand launch their own political party

It will be first political party in New Zealand dedicated to immigrants.

Roshan Nauhria, New Zealand People's Party

Roshan Nauhria, a successful local Indian businessman who is also the member of the New Zealand Order of Merit is the acting leader of this new political outfit Source: Newshub

Indians in New Zealand have formed their own political party.

reports that it will be first political party in New Zealand dedicated to immigrants.

The new party is being called New Zealand People’s Party and their key focus will be law and order issues of NZ’s Indian and Asian communities.

Roshan Nauhria, a successful local Indian businessman who is also the member of the New Zealand Order of Merit is the acting leader of this new political outfit.

Mr Nauhria told Newshub that it’s about time Indians and Asians are represented.

"The population of our people is 13 percent. We just feel that we are not fully represented in the Parliament and other aspects of the country."

The party's constitution has a big focus on crime, following a number of attacks on Indian shopkeepers.

"The biggest issue with our people is law and order," he says. "It's a big issue and nobody is really standing for them. Then suddenly somebody gets killed then everybody comes in, the Prime Minister says this statement or MPs make this statement, then nothing happens afterwards."

They also have a clear focus on immigration. They did like to work towards developing immigration policies that allow international students, migrants and refugees to settle sooner into a comfortable life in New Zealand.

They also aim to crack down on crime, especially assaults and exploitation of students.

But Mr Nauhria says there'll be policies for everyone.

"Initially we will be talking about our Asian people and Indian people, but I'm 95 percent sure that we'll be in a bid to get Kiwi votes. Once we get close to the election we'll announce policies which will appeal to everybody."

The New Zealand People's Party says it intends to stand its first candidate in Phil Goff's electorate of Mount Roskill, should there be a by-election if Mr Goff is elected as Auckland mayor.

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Published 30 August 2016 3:28pm
Updated 30 August 2016 3:31pm
By Mosiqi Acharya


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