Dear Prime Minister and Minister,

RE: Auckland University – senior post recruitment 

1.      You will know that Auckland University is recruiting a senior post which privileges ethnicity as a criterion – and so may breach the NZ Bill of Rights and employment laws. This follows AU’s recent move to establish a compulsory course in Maori studies across all disciplines and reports at another university of an Engineering internship reserved for certain ethnicities only. These are overt apartheid practices and never approved by New Zealand citizens.

AU receives public ( i.e.tax payer) funding – but also significant support from private donors including alumni. May I request that you withdraw public (i.e. tax payer) funding from AU until it respects Article 3 of the Treaty of Waitangi which stipulates  equality  for  all  NZ  citizens.

2.      Coalition  supporters are deeply concerned about your need to take action in this matter    – only ACT has already asked for clarification from AU. As National holds the Universities portfolio,  it would seem logical and politic to defend citizen equality and tax payer interests as a clear sign of your total commitment to democracy. Your supporters would be reassured – because currently you seem to ignore them on this issue. This attitude will not prove prudent.

This example demonstrates the urgency of a referendum where citizens (tax payers) can express their view on democracy and equal citizenship.

This step  would  greatly enhance your re-election chances in 2026. 

Please give this request serious thought.

With thanks,