After two and a half years under a government that promised equal rights and obligations for all New Zealanders, it’s time to ask: where are we now?
Progress has been slow. In some areas, it has stalled entirely. And in others, the direction of travel is raising serious concerns.
In a revealing interview, Far North District Councillor Davina Smolders speaks candidly with podcaster Duncan Garner about what’s happening inside her council. She points to reduced transparency, growing influence from unelected groups, and limits on councillors’ ability to hold sway —raising serious questions about who is making decisions, and how.
Watch here: Is Democracy Dying? Councillor Davina Smolders On Far North ‘Takeover’
What’s happening in the Far North is not just a local issue. It’s a warning sign.
Cr. Smolders is urging the public to pay closer attention to how decisions are made, who is involved, and whether elected representatives are being sidelined. It’s a message worth taking seriously. Because, unless something changes, the trend is clear: our democracy is heading for the rocks!
Join Cr. Smolders’ call for the Minister of Local Government, Simon Watts, to urgently appoint a Crown Observer to the Far North District Council. Email: [email protected]
Meanwhile, the government sits on its hands while councils ignore the commitment to remove co-governance from water service delivery.
And, what about the promised review of “Treaty principles” in legislation? The review—presented as a key coalition commitment—was due to be completed by August 2025. A shortlist of laws was identified. A panel was appointed.
Then: silence.
No updates. No consultation. No explanation.
If governments can quietly abandon commitments like this, what does that mean for accountability?
For a closer look, read 'Where art thou – The Treaty Principles Review?' below, which includes suggested actions we can take.
The Government fails to deliver on co-governance commitment in water services reform
The water services’ reforms currently underway represent a major shift in how water services are managed and governed, with new regional entities embedding iwi involvement in governance and decision-making.
Read more in the newsletter article, Watered Down Democracy—and consider contacting the Prime Minister and Local Government Minister, Simon Watts, to remind them of their commitment to remove co-governance from public service delivery.
Recommended reading
If you want to better understand the ideas shaping New Zealand’s education system and public policy, Elizabeth Rata’s work is a good place to start. A professor of education, Elizabeth explores the rise of culturalism, the role of knowledge in the curriculum, and the state’s role in fostering a cohesive, democratic society.
Her writing is thought-provoking and often challenges current narratives.
The Truth About New Zealand Education - Prof. Rata: "Why were New Zealand’s young people so well-educated from the 1870s to the 1970s? What went wrong between 1971 and the early 2020s that damaged this strong legacy? How can we combine the best ideas and practices from the past with the best of today to ensure the current generation receives a quality education?
Read further at: www.elizabethrata.com - Go to Research Areas > ‘History of New Zealand Education’ to read the truth about our nation’s educational history.
For more perspectives and analysis of various issues, be sure to explore the selection of articles and commentaries in the ‘Further News, Views, Commentaries…’ section below.
Get involved!
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👉 https://www.facebook.com/DemocracyAction/
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Kind regards,
Susan Short