New Zealand First: Equal Citizenship, Democracy and Sovereignty
New Zealand First places fair democracy and equal citizenship at the centre of its political platform. Its policies emphasise equal treatment regardless of ancestry, opposition to co-governance, greater direct democratic decision-making, and the right of New Zealanders to determine their own laws and constitutional arrangements.
The following highlights the NZ First policies most relevant to Democracy Action’s focus on equal citizenship, equal political rights, and accountable democratic government.
• Fair democracy and equal citizenship — one of NZ First’s five pillars
• One people, one law, one flag, and all equal under it.
• Opposition to co-governance in public services. NZ First views co-governance as a threat to equal citizenship and parliamentary sovereignty.
• Rules out working with any political party that promotes separatism.
• Withdraw from the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. NZ First argues that UNDRIP can constrain New Zealand’s ability to make its own laws.
• Binding citizens’ referendums on major social issues.
• A referendum on Māori seats.
• Electoral reform to be determined by the electors. “The Government’s duty will be to ensure the fair representation of all views and the holding of appropriate referenda.”
• Citizens-only voting. NZ First proposes that only New Zealand citizens should be entitled to vote in general and local elections, ending voting rights for permanent residents after relatively short periods of residence.
• Protection of lawfully acquired property rights. NZ First supports legislation to protect the right to property that has been lawfully acquired.
• A national-interest test for international commitments. NZ First proposes a test to ensure that New Zealand is not dictated to by the United Nations or international agencies such as the World Health Organisation.
References
NZ First - Defending Freedom and Democracy
"Power to the People" - Winston Peters - State of the Nation 2026
NZ First Introduces Bill That Gives Democracy Back to The People
New Zealand First to Campaign on ‘Citizens Only Voting’
Casey Costello: We made a promise to stand for equal citizenship.
- . Links:
- Related policies: Citizens-only voting,
- Referendum on Māori seats (announced February 2026)
Campaigning for a binding referendum at the 2026 election on whether separate Māori seats should continue. Introduced a Member’s Bill to enable this.
https://www.nzfirst.nz/nz_first_to_campaign_for_referendum_on_maori_seats https://www.nzfirst.nz/nz_first_bill_to_enable_binding_referendum_on_maori_seats_at_2026_election - restoring equal citizenship in specific legislation (e.g. Marine and Coastal Area).
- Core policy against “separatism” and co-governance. Has campaigned to remove co-governance from public services.
- Strong “one law for all” and “need not race” stance. Opposes policies that differentiate by ancestry.
- The electors will determine electoral reform. “The Government’s duty will be to ensure the fair representation of all views and the holding of appropriate referenda.” https://www.nzfirst.nz/principle
- Withdraw from the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as it removes the rights of New Zealand citizens to write their own laws. https://www.nzfirst.nz/defending-freedom-and-democracy