A new political party dedicated to immigrants will make crime one of its main campaigning issues.
Ethnic crime was the big influence in Roshan Nauhria's decision to start the New Zealand People's Party, which intends to look after Chinese and Indian voters.
The New Zealand People's Party says it intends to stand its first candidate in Phil Goff's electorate of Mount Roskill, should there be a by-election if Mr Goff is elected as Auckland mayor.
Roshan Nauhria Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Mr Nauhria, who is the Party's acting leader, told Morning Report they would be working to target crime.
"Crime has been a big issue and that's one area we want to target" - Roshan Nauhria
"I think crime is one of the biggest issues for our people ... we are targeted more or less everywhere."
Mr Nauhria said the Party had broad-based support from people who were traditionally Labour and National voters.
Prime Minister John Key has written to immigrant communities reassuring them the government is taking crime seriously, and urging them not to take the law into their own hands.
Labour leader Andrew Little said his party had not had discussions with the Green Party about whether it should field only one candidate if the Mount Roskill seat becomes vacant.