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The petition’s Auckland-based author Freeman Yu is a pro-democracy groups member of Auckland’s Chinese community. After moving to New Zealand two years ago, Yu said he experienced the influence of the Chinese Government in New Zealand's Chinese community.
Yu is calling for a Parliamentary inquiry into foreign influence in New Zealand politics, including whether any laws could be passed to protect the country’s laws and electoral system.
"As far as I can judge, New Zealand has to do something to stop the inappropriate influence of the Chinese Government, like the US and Australia have done."
The Chinese community in New Zealand was scared to speak out against China's Government, or discuss issues like human rights, he said.
It comes at a time when more questions around China’s soft power, and the level of foreign influence upon New Zealand’s political system, are being asked.
