New Party Promises Christian Alternative (Press, 13 July 1989)

On 12 July 1989, a new political party called the Christian Heritage Party was officially launched in Christchurch, aimed at providing a Christian alternative to the existing Labour and National parties in New Zealand. The party’s representatives expressed the belief that both Labour and National had failed to uphold traditional family and moral values. While the party did not disclose its membership numbers, it announced plans to contest selected seats in the upcoming 1990 General Election. The leadership of the Christian Heritage Party consists of a 15-member board, which notably includes a prayer director, and plans to remain active until the party's first convention scheduled for February 1990. Among the board members are notable figures, including John Allen, who serves as the party's spokesman. Allen is a former member of the National Party, having contested for the Heretaunga seat in the 1987 election. His dissatisfaction with the National Party grew after he perceived a shift away from Christian values, particularly after the replacement of Graeme Lee, a Christian advocate, with a more liberal figure as the Opposition’s family representative. Allen has also expressed concerns regarding the National Party's endorsement of compulsory pre-school education and believes the party has strayed from its core principles. Some members of the Heritage board previously participated in the Coalition of Concerned Citizens, which advocates for moral issues, but Allen clarified that the new party does not intend to link with this or any other pressure groups, nor with any specific religious bodies. The party's central office is located in Christchurch, and its interim leadership includes Bill Van Rij as president, Gary Milne as vice-president, Michael Willemse as secretary, and Lindsay Galt as treasurer, with all four being from Christchurch. The Christian Heritage Party has identified various legislative changes as contributing to shifts in New Zealand's value system, including the Homosexual Law Reform Act and the ratification of the United Nations Covenant on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. They noted that while many Christians attempted to engage with traditional political parties in 1987, their efforts often met with negative responses. Key policies outlined by the party include a strong opposition to abortion, an increase in police funding, advocating for a reduction in government involvement in health and education services, and economic policies aimed at eliminating government debt. The founders of the party are positioning it as a viable alternative for voters seeking to uphold Christian principles in the political arena.

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