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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