Winston Peters and New Zealand First are hoping to follow the anti-DEI path, proposing today to get rid of the “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” regulation from the public service.
DEI refers to policies or frameworks to ensure the inclusion of individuals and communities with varying characteristics or from different demographics.
The DEI measures are currently described as “essential” parts of the public service, by the Public Service Commission (PSC), which has its own DEI plan and regularly reports on progress against DEI activities.
However, NZ First wants to remove “woke DEI measures” from the public service and instead is proposing legislation that hires are based on merit rather than diversity and inclusion targets.
“This Bill 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,” said Peters.
“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,” he added.
This move follows actions made by the Trump administration in the US to roll back on DEI policies, this was one of the executive orders President Trump made since being in office.
“This Bill ensures fairness and prevents ESG standards from perpetuating woke ideology in the banking sector being driven by unelected, globalist, climate radicals,” said Peters at the time.
This is being introduced as a Member’s Bill, meaning it would need to be picked from a ballot before being debated by Parliament.
Photo Credit: RNZ
