Shane Jones warns of ‘demographic engineering’ as NZ First opens convention
New Zealand First party leaders Shane Jones and Winston Peters opened their annual convention with speeches criticizing current social and economic policies. The party is positioning itself as a populist alternative, focusing on cost-of-living issues and opposition to what they term 'demographic engineering'.
Why it matters
The party's polling surge suggests a significant shift in New Zealand's political landscape ahead of the upcoming election.
New Zealand First is warning its members of impending challenges in the upcoming election campaign while the party’s deputy leader decries “demographic engineering” taking place in New Zealand.
The party this morning opened its annual convention in Manukau, Auckland, to a crowd of more than 350 delegates, the largest in the party’s history.
Deputy leader Shane Jones began with a thundering speech, rousing members with declarations of resilience against the forces he claimed sought to undermine NZ First.
“Not for us to be hobbled, stared down, cowed by the vested interest and the more powerful, voluminous parties who don’t want us to reflect what our fellow citizens feel in the hinterland.
“Who don’t want us to reflect what garden-variety Kiwis are apprehensive over as they watch demographic engineering before their eyes.”
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in