Orewa Speech

Brash approached the subject by advocating 'one rule for all'[1] and ending equitable measures and affirmative action for Māori, which he described as "special privileges".

He criticized policies he believed to be separatist, such as required levels of iwi representation on district health boards and the allocation of Māori electorate seats in Parliament – something he labelled an "anachronism".

The speech made particular reference to the Labour Party's stance on the Foreshore and Seabed Act, which Brash disagreed with.

He also questioned the use of Māori spiritual traditions in official events and the open-ended nature of the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process.

Former Labour Prime Minister Helen Clark said of Brash's motives that "he would’ve done a lot of opinion polling on that, and knew it would strike a chord".