Asia Pacific United Party
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The Asia Pacific United Party was a New Zealand political party established in 1995 to serve the interests of Asian and Pasifika New Zealanders. It campaigned on a platform of cultural diversity, improved community representation, and social inclusion.
History
The party was founded in anticipation of New Zealand’s shift to the Mixed-member proportional representation (MMP) system, which lowered the threshold for smaller parties to enter Parliament. Its first official public meeting was held in Auckland on 12 October 1995, where founding leader Tuariki Delamere outlined its goals.[1]
1996 election
In the 1996 general election, the party fielded nine list candidates and contested three electorates.[2] It gained 0.02 percent of the party vote, failing to secure any list seats.[3] During this campaign, several ballot-paper errors led to confusion between the Asia Pacific United Party and the Ethnic Minority Party.[4]
1999 election
Although still registered for the 1999 general election, the party did not submit a party list and only nominated two electorate candidates. None were elected, and the party’s total vote share dropped further, reflecting dwindling membership and resources.[5]
Deregistration and merger
By mid-2001, the party’s membership had fallen below the 500-member threshold required for registration.[6] In October 2001, the Electoral Commission formally cancelled the party’s registration. Shortly afterwards, many former members and leaders joined United New Zealand, seeking to influence mainstream policy on multiculturalism.[7]
Platform and policies
The Asia Pacific United Party’s core policies included:
- **Enhanced community representation** – reserved seats or thresholds for Asian and Pasifika MPs
- **Multicultural education** – integration of Asian and Pacific history and languages into school curricula
- **Anti-discrimination measures** – strengthened legal protections against racism and hate crimes
- **Economic empowerment** – targeted support for small businesses in migrant communities
- **Bicultural dialogue** – supporting the Treaty of Waitangi while extending consultation to new ethnic groups[8]
Leadership
- **Tuariki Delamere** (Leader, 1995–1998) – former public servant and community advocate
- **Mele Tupou** (Co-Leader, 1998–2001) – Pasifika liaison officer and local councillor
- **Sunita Sharma** (President, 1996–2001) – business leader within Auckland’s Indian community
Electoral performance
| Election | Party vote | List MPs | Electorate MPs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 0.02% | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | — | 0 | 0 |
See also
References
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