Ongoing border closures due to the COVID-19 crisis are "a little blessing in disguise", says Vision New Zealand leader Hannah Tamaki, as it has temporarily halted the arrival of new immigrants.
Tamaki's party has proposed a "zero net migration target" for two years and an immediate reduction of the refugee quota as part of its policy to "put Kiwis first".
Vision NZ is currently polling at 0.1 percent - well below the 5 percent required for a party to make it into Parliament. Yet Tamaki remains optimistic, saying although the number reflects "traction", reaching the threshold would be "an absolute miracle".
Speaking to Magic Talk's Road to the Election on Sunday, Tamaki - the wife of controversial Destiny Church founder Brian Tamaki - reiterated she is "not racist", but the wellbeing of New Zealanders need to be prioritised amid the ongoing economic and social impacts of COVID-19.
Vision NZ's 'Let Take New Zealand Back' (LTNZB) policy proposes that no new immigrants should be allowed to enter New Zealand for two years, subject to review based on the state of the country's housing crisis, infrastructure, and social welfare - with an exception due to genuinely skilled labour shortages.
The policy also suggests restrictions on "immigrants taking jobs that Kiwis could fill".
"The reality is we haven't got enough houses, we haven't got enough jobs. And thankfully - because it may be a little blessing in disguise because we've had to close the borders - we've got time for a reset," Tamaki told host Mitch McCann.
"So many Kiwis are out of jobs, out of homes - I think it's a time to retrain, reset and re-establish New Zealanders that are already here. The immigrants that are here? All good. Let's build on what we've got.
"You can't say, 'a house is full, invite more people' - that's stupid."
She reiterated the party's proposed prohibition on immigration would be for a short period and subject to review.
"I think it's time for us to look after our people first. It's about those [housing] promises now being fulfilled," she said.
"In a way, COVID could be a little blessing - it gives us time to look after the people we've got on the ground here. Don't try the 'racist' card on me - this is about the new ones coming in, not the existing ones."
Despite the policy proposing an immediate reduction of New Zealand's refugee quota, Tamaki said the refugees who do arrive here should be treated with better respect and dignity. She believes more New Zealand families should be encouraged to host asylum seekers, rather than "putting them into a prison compound".
Housing refugees in the community would allow them to learn New Zealand's culture and encourage integration, Tamaki said - the introduction of "new robust integration processes for all immigrants and refugees" being another focus of the LTNZB policy.
"Then they learn our culture and understand the way of life [here], then they do actually integrate - not become part of New Zealand, but they still stick to their own culture - they come here because they want to live in New Zealand. Isn't it a wonderful thing for us to share with them, and they evolve and understand this culture?"
Tamaki said she isn't "cold-hearted" enough to stop people with a "desperate need" to come to New Zealand.
"But I do think we need to... make sure we've got the space and the room, and don't treat them like prisoners in a holding pen."
When asked by McCann what Vision NZ stands for, Tamaki said her kaupapa is for the people whose voices aren't heard.
It follows a string of visits to "gang pads", the party leader revealed, during which she urged some of New Zealand's most marginalised members of society to vote in the upcoming October 17 election.
"I've been invited to a lot of gang pads and they usually don't vote - they've told me now they're going to change their constitutions and some of them are going to start voting. I've been encouraging non-voters - people who have never voted, ever - to get out and vote.
"If you don't vote, zip it, don't say anything."
However, she said her prerogative was not to obtain gang members' votes.
"I don't know if they're even going to vote for me, I'm just encouraging them to get out and vote - to think about over the next few weeks what they want, what they want to represent them. I think quite often they're targeted by politicians, but - I think my message may have a resounding relationship with them - but I don't go there saying, 'you've got to vote for me' - I just say register to vote, so you can be a voice too."
Tamaki, who is contesting the Waiariki electorate seat in this year's election, has committed six years to the Vision NZ party. However, the Destiny Church co-founder - who has found herself embroiled in controversy on several occasions - reiterates she is "not a politician".
"I'm not a politician, I'm a people person - but I'm loving it," she said.
