Venkat Raman
Auckland, September 6, 2020
Mt Roskill TEA Party Candidate Vishal Choksi (Photo Supplied)
The newly formed Taxpayers and Entrepreneurs Alliance (TEA) Party has chosen a tourism expert as its candidate for Mt Roskill in the ensuing general election.
Vishal Choksi, of Indian origin, will contest in the Constituency which features Michael Wood (Labour Party), Dr Parmjeet Parmar (National Party) and candidates from other Parties in a multi-cornered contest.
The Mt Roskill seat has, since its creation in 1999, been with Labour, from 1999 to 2016 with Phil Goff and thereafter with Mr Wood.
About Vishal Choksi
Vishal Choksi is the Chief Operating Officer of Freedom Tourism Limited, a tourism company that is keen to promote New Zealand as a popular destination.
As a tourist operator, he understands hospitality and the art of communication with people. His extensive experience gained working with various communities encourages him to seek a career in politics as a Member of Parliament.
TEA Party Leader John Hong (File Photo)
About John Hong
The Party is the brainchild of John Hong, who was a candidate for the post of Auckland Mayor at the local government elections held in 2019.
Born and raised in the Fujian Province on the South-East Coast of China, Mr Hong has had an illustrious scholastic career, having topped in English to become a Lecturer in the College of Foreign Languages at the Fujian Normal University. Obtaining his postgraduate qualifications in English and American Literature, he migrated to New Zealand in 2003 and pursued a second postgraduate Diploma in Translation, he acquired extensive experience in a variety of vocations.
These include Auckland Regional Council Communication and Engagement (Manager), Statistics New Zealand (Team Leader Asia),the Southern Initiative (Inaugural Steering Committee Member) Auckland Council (Inaugural Member of Ethnic Panel), Waterfront Auckland (Asia-Pacific Investment Advisor), Panuku (a Council Controlled Organisation Head of Investment and International Relationships) New Zealand China Trade Association (Executive), China Engagement New Zealand Core Cities (Member), Pigeon Mountain Primary School (Board of Trustees).
About TEA Party
TEA Party website says that it has been established by community oriented, migrant friendly, taxpayer and entrepreneur minded non-career politicians to target the center ground of the political landscape, contesting the Queen or Kingmaker position in the 2020 general elections.
“The Party hopes to form a coalition with the largest Parliamentary party, bringing about the positive change Aotearoa so badly needs,” it said.
Mr Hong said that Taxpayers and Entrepreneurs Alliance is a Party which has a vision of community where all are included to sit around the table for tea and negotiate their fair share.
“Our Board and members belong to various ethnicities and various age groups. TEA Party has adopted the role of guardian against racism by anyone inside or outside of government who would use racism and fear to gain political power; and will seek to replace racist politicians with fair-minded community members,” he said.
Party Objectives
According to the Party website, TEA will support (a) use of medicinal drugs but oppose all forms of drug abuse and drugs for recreational purposes and support and promote (b) quality migration including family reunion upon meeting certain conditions (c) lift people out of poverty and reduce the number of people on the dole or benefit (d) tax rebates and tax incentives to middle-class working and self-employed taxpayers (e) growth of sustainable economic development and encourage international trade (f) more funding to the education and health sectors including teachers, healthcare workers and nurses (g) an environment and society without fear for safety and abuse, protecting the rights of victims.
Offices in New Zealand
In its bid to represent New Zealanders of all ethnicities at all places, the Party has established four offices in Auckland (Central City, North Shore, West Auckland, East Auckland, South Auckland, North Island), Hamilton, Rotorua, Taupo, Hawkes Bay, Palmerston North, Tauranga and three offices in South Island (Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown).
“We are socially democratic, culturally diversified and fiscally conservative,” Mr Hong said.
