Act stays steady on seven per cent

By SIMON COLLINS

Act says it will remain a party of influence after holding its own in the election at around seven per cent of the vote.

Leader Richard Prebble told several hundred supporters at Auckland University's Shadows Bar that other parties had adopted many of Act's policies, such as setting a time limit on Treaty of Waitangi claims.

"We've stuck by our core policies. We have always been the party that is pro business, pro freedom, pro choice," said Mr Prebble, his voice hoarse with a winter cold.

Supporters in the dimly lit Shadows Bar included several dozen Chinese people supporting Kenneth Wang, number 10 on the Act list and likely to just miss out on the latest polling.

Dan Zhu, a civil engineer who came from China seven years ago and is one of the few Chinese at the party who can speak English, joined Act three months ago to support Mr Wang.

"I think the Act party is a good party - no tolerance of crime, low taxes which we like," he said.

Kitty Leu, a share broker who arrived from China three years ago, said Act would be good for the economy.

"The low tax rate is very good for economic development," she said.

"Tax rates in New Zealand are so high, it's very bad for the future. Act's policy is very good."

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