It is appalling that this Government, which pretends to oppose racism, nevertheless wants to allocate contracts for building infrastructure on the basis of the race of the contractor, Hobson’s Pledge spokesman Don Brash said today.

It is appalling that this Government, which pretends to oppose racism, nevertheless wants to allocate contracts for building infrastructure on the basis of the race of the contractor, Hobson’s Pledge spokesman Don Brash said today.

Each year, the Government spends $42b procuring a wide range of goods and services from third-party suppliers. Maori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta wants 16 percent of those contracts set aside for Maori to tender for.

“This is not only totally abhorrent on principle; it will almost certainly involve substantially greater cost to taxpayers,” Dr Brash said.

“This is because the policy would radically reduce the number of those tendering for some contracts - or would mean accepting a bid from a Maori contractor even though it was not the lowest bid received,” he said.

“And if a special preference for Maori contractors, why not a special preference for Pacifica contractors?  After all, more than one District Health Board is already contemplating giving a preference to Maori and Pacifica patients.  And if Maori and Pacifica, what about Asians?” Dr Brash said.

“It is imperative that New Zealand treats all citizens equally, irrespective of when they or their ancestors came to this land, as Article III of the Treaty of Waitangi promised,” he said.