dialogue

Political dialogue

Dear Sir,

As Arthur Anae’s letter in the January, 1997 edition of Pacific Islands Monthly appears to ques tion my credibility as a neutral observer of New Zealand politics, I would appreci ate an opportunity to reply and make the

following points:

• The basis of my statement that “Kiwis no longer want Bolger as their prime minister” was the fact that 54.87 per cent of the electorate voted for parties which, during the election campaign, indicated they intended to replace him.

What New Zealanders could not deter mine amongst themselves was who they wished to replace him with. • Anae is right in claiming that an opinion poll did, prior to the election, show Jim Bolger as the most preferred prime minister. However, a combined total of 76 per cent of those polled opted for the half a dozen or so others also nominated. • I would be interested to know the basis of Anae’s insistence that “Jim Bolger’s leadership over the past three years has placed New Zealand in the top line-up of OECD countries”. The OECD issues a plethora of reports each year. The latest I have encountered rated New Zealand’s life expectancy figures as the 13th best for males and 17th for females amongst the 25 member countries.

Commenting on the report, New Zealand’s Ministry of Health admitted that “there is a strong correlation between the incidence of ill health and low income”. New Zealand’s income per capita and average wage figures rate equally lowly amongst OECD members. • I have insufficient knowledge to comment upon how effective radio sta tion 531 PI has been on educating the Pacific Island community on the MMP political environment. However, I believe it would have been ethical for Anae to disclose he is the chairman of the sta tion’s management board. • I stand by my original comment that “it seems likely that Pacific Island people opted overwhelmingly for the Labour Party”. Taito Phillip Field won 56 per cent of the vote in Mangere. National did, as Anae wrote, increase its vote in the constituency by 6.6 per cent since 1993.

However, the electorate boundaries have been changed substantially and the results from individual polling stations

suggest that this improvement was gained through European voters previ ously outside the electorate. • I apologise for not having realised Tukuoroirangi Morgan’s Cook Islands connections earlier. But they also appeared to have been missed by his party leader, Winston Peters, who, during the 'election, expressed his regret that New Zealand First had no Pacific Island people amongst its candidates.

However, I certainly support the essence of Anae’s letter - that it would be unhealthy for our community to slavishly support any one party; that employment creation, education opportunities and an improvement in health services are equally important to all sections of New Zealand society irrespective of their

political allegiances, including the

Pacific Island populace; that we can be proud of our people’s achievements in New Zealand but must recognise we face distinct problems needing to be addressed urgently and we must acknowledge and appreciate the opportu nities New Zealand gives us which aren’t always available in our home countries.

One of the joys of living in a democ racy such as New Zealand is the chance to engage in earnest political dialogue without acrimony and, hopefully, this is what Anae and I have done.

Atama Raganivatu

North Otago New Zealand