Expatriate Party of New Zealand

The Expatriate Party of New Zealand is a political party that represents people who consider themselves New Zealanders but who do not currently reside in New Zealand.

The Expat Party asserts that the New Zealand government displays a "disinterest in expat matters" and that New Zealanders in other countries "are completely unrepresented".[1][2] It wishes to see the New Zealand government press for greater rights for New Zealand expatriates in their countries of residence, particularly Australia.[3] The party aims to secure more access for New Zealand expatriates to Australian social services and medical schemes, although it does not intend to seek access to unemployment benefits.[4][3] It also supports reforms to New Zealand law regarding whether and how expatriates may participate in New Zealand elections (including studying the introduction of electronic voting); reduction of regulation and taxation (which it considers a disincentive for expatriates to remain connected to New Zealand); and stronger social and economic ties with New Zealand's traditional allies.[5][1]

Party spokespeople are Grant Cheesman and Nick Teulon, both of whom are New Zealand-born residents of Australia.[2][5] On 22 July 2014, the party announced that it had sufficient numbers to register as a political party in New Zealand, which would have allowed it to contest the 2014 election.[6] However, the registration process was not completed before Writ Day, leaving the party unable to contest the party vote.[7] The Expatriate Party intended to support at least one electorate candidate at the 2014 elections and ran Vicky Rose in the Maori Electorate of Ikaroa-Rāwhiti.[7] It has not ruled out the possibility of participating in Australian elections in the future.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 "Expatriate Party of New Zealand website". Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  2. 1 2 Cheng, Derek (18 July 2014). "Expat Party taking run at Parliament". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  3. 1 2 Su, Reissa (18 July 2014). "New Zealanders Fight for Rights in Australia with Expat Party's Race to Parliament". International Business Times. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  4. ↑ Hamblin, Andrea (17 July 2014). "New Zealanders living in Australia are demanding rights and government assistance". Herald Sun. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  5. 1 2 "The Expatriate Party of New Zealand plans to fight Voting Law". The Expat Hub. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  6. ↑ "Expat Party Facebook page". Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  7. 1 2 "Expat Party won't be registered". 21 August 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  8. ↑ Flitton, Daniel (16 July 2014). "Kiwis fight for social service rights in Australia". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 July 2014.

External links

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