Jul 07, 2025
Auckland Council received just over 2,000 submissions on its proposed Deed of Acknowledgement with Te Kawerau ā Maki, a report on which has been presented in a closed workshop to the three local boards concerned and the members of the Policy and Planning Committee.
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Jul 07, 2025
The Government is reviewing freshwater policy to replace the NPS-FM 2020 and related standards, aiming for more balanced and flexible management that supports both environmental and commercial needs.
Three options are proposed for the future of Te Mana o te Wai, a concept that prioritizes the health and well-being of freshwater bodies in decision-making about water. The options range from complete removal to removing the hierarchy of obligations but retaining Māori involvement.
Democracy Action supports full removal (Option 3), arguing Te Mana o te Wai imposes spiritual concepts and iwi authority into law at the expense of scientific rigour, clarity, and democratic accountability.
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Jul 07, 2025
Further news, views, commentaries…….
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Racist policies in Parliamentary precinct
Commenting on Parliamentary Services’ Rautaki Maori strategy, Senior King’s Counsel Gary Judd writes that it is a force which is destructive of our democracy. “It is subversive of the whole democratic process, because Te Ao Māori is not democratic. It is tribal where chiefs call the shots.”
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Jul 03, 2025
Thank you for the opportunity to present our views on the Regulatory Standards Bill.
Democracy Action is in favour of the Bill. We approve of the aim to raise the standards for the formulation of laws and regulations. The decline in performance is clear; in 1998, New Zealand held the second position globally in terms of regulatory efficiency, but according to the OECD, it has now dropped to 20th place. We must act to enhance regulatory efficiency once again.
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Apr 30, 2025
Introduction
Thank you for the opportunity to present Democracy Action’s submission on the proposed Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Deed of Acknowledgement.
Democracy Action is a not-for-profit incorporated society established to champion the importance of democracy and equality of citizenship in New Zealand. Based in Auckland (with supporters throughout New Zealand), we have actively advocated for the protection of democratic principles since 2012. https://www.democracyaction.org.nz/who_we_are
Democracy Action has two points we would like to raise regarding the proposed Deed of Acknowledgement.
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Apr 22, 2025
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Fear and loathing grips the left over NZME shake-up
Journalist and commentator, Graham Adams, fires back at politicians and media commentators who have their knickers in a twist about Jim Grenon’s proposed NZME board takeover. Graham writes: “It’s very hard to see how that is a threat to democracy, as some media commentators have claimed. Rather than a blow to democracy, it could be more accurately seen as promoting diversity of thought and opinion in a media landscape heavily dominated by left-leaning journalists”.
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