Election Time

Some Key Issues

Christians have a deep belief that faith touches all areas of life. Our social, economic, cultural and environmental relationships are all to be evaluated in the light of fiath, no matter how complex they may be.

General Election time is every three years in New Zealand. It is a time when there are intense debates about the political and social issues of the day. Sometimes the same issues emerge at each election time.

We have selected a number which featured during the General Election of 2005 in the hope they may provide useful reflection for today.

 

  • Te Tiriti O Waitangi

    Why is this an issue?The understandings of the majority of Pakeha and Māori are very different concerning Te Tiriti /The Treaty. Not only are there two texts but each is interpreted from value bases more»

  • Trade Policies: Free or Fair

    Why is this an issue? There is increasing evidence that the Free Trade prescription is not working. The benefits of Free Trade are being accrued by only a small percentage of people and more»

  • Taxation and the Common Good

    Why is this an issue? Taxation levels are always intensely contentious. Some political parties continue to promise tax cuts and therefore less government and less social services. Yet Aotearoa more»

  • Immigration and Refugees

    Why is this an issue? Of the 45,000 approvals per year, 60% are for identified skills and for business people while less than 4% are for refugees and their family members. Why so few?Who we more»

  • Environment and the Kyoto Protocol

    Why is this an issue?Human induced global warming is a reality. Our use of non-renewable energy sources, particularly fossil fuels, is altering the planet's atmosphere. We are discovering just how more»