NZ First leader Winston Peters deflected questions over whether the party's constitution reflected DEI values. Video / Jamie Ensor
Winston Peters has deflected questions about whether NZ First’s candidate ranking policy counts as diversity, equity and inclusion.
The constitution of New Zealand First includes a section calling for its List Ranking Committee to consider “the need for different genders, social groups, ages, and ethnic groups to be represented”.
When asked on Wednesday evening, party leader Peters denied that the requirement reflected the DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) that his party has been railing against.
DEI commonly refers to policies or frameworks to ensure the inclusion of individuals and communities with varying characteristics or from different demographics.
NZ First’s 2024 constitution, which was adopted at the party’s annual general meeting last year, outlines how the party should rank potential list candidates ahead of an election.
This is at the “complete discretion” of the committee and by “a procedure that it collectively decides”.
“In ranking the candidates, the List Ranking Committee shall consider: The ability, expertise, and experience of the candidates generally, and of the qualities that a candidate may contribute to the House of Representatives, the need for different genders, social groups, ages, and ethnic groups to be represented.”
Asked why it wasn’t, he said: “It has got two words, for a start, not three.
“Go and see what DEI means,” he said.
He wouldn’t answer other questions about whether it was hypocritical or if he would change the constitution.
Peters spoke to reporters again later. He said the Green Party had DEI elements in their constitution. The Greens are not raising issues about DEI.
“Our constitution has two words and no way it can be construed as three words you’re using. You’re not going to get away with lying,” he said.
Peters then began to walk off. As it was put to him that his party’s constitution mentions gender, social groups, age and ethnic groups, he said: “Listen, moron, I have just told you once.”
He also posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“DEI Ideology creates quotas, priorities, and targets... Our constitution does not. If a range of personal attributes are needed as part of a job then it’s not DEI. It’s not difficult to understand.”
Peters said to have a look at the likes of the Public Service Commission (PSC). Diversity and inclusion are currently described as “essential” parts of the public service by the PSC, which has its own DEI plan and regularly reports on progress against DEI activities.
Some biased idiotic journalists are hopelessly trying to link a New Zealand First Constitution clause about list ranking to being “DEI Ideology”.
DEI Ideology creates quotas, priorities, and targets – just take a look at the Public Services Commission, the Green Party…
NZ First leader Winston Peters. Photo / Mark Mitchell
NZ First last week announced a member’s bill to remove DEI regulations from the public service, which Peters said would “put an end to the woke left-wing social engineering and diversity targets in the public sector”.
“New Zealand is a country founded on meritocracy, not on some mind-numbingly stupid ideology.”
That included removing aspects of the Public Service Act 2020 that requires the Public Service Commissioner to promote a diverse workforce. For example, it would remove a duty “to develop a workforce that reflects societal diversity”.
“The public service exists to serve New Zealanders – not to be a breeding ground for identity politics,” Peters said.
“Removing woke ‘DEI’ requirements will give the public confidence that the right person is in the right job based on their skills, not their identity.”
“They know, as we speak, exactly what’s expected of them and I’ll be watching because we campaigned on equality. We campaigned against woke ideals and that’s what the coalition is about.”
A spokesman for Peters said that since taking office in 2023, “the minister has been concerned about the impact that the woke agenda of his predecessor and the Ardern/Hipkins Government had on New Zealand’s diplomacy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade”.
“Over the past 16 months, the minister has made clear to successive secretaries of Foreign Affairs and Trade that he expects MFAT and New Zealand’s diplomats to reflect the agenda of the current New Zealand Government. This has included a determination to remove references to the previous Government’s policy priorities from the ministry’s online publications.”
While Peters held Kiwi diplomats “in the highest esteem”, the statement said he “is disappointed that there continue to be outdated references to discretionary legacy initiatives of the previous Labour Government on the MFAT website”.
“He has instructed Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Bede Corry to review the ministry’s website and ensure its alignment with the coalition Government’s agenda. He looks forward to that review being conducted with a sense of urgency.”
Jamie Ensor is a political reporter in the NZ Herald Press Gallery team based at Parliament. He was previously a TV reporter and digital producer in the Newshub Press Gallery office.
