Welcome to the latest Democracy Action Update. In this issue I am suggesting you consider having your say on the Taumata Arowai—the Water Services Regulator Bill, which is open for submissions until March 4th. (I know, I know - not another &#%! request to send a submission!) It is obvious the government is using its time in power to implement as much legislation as it can, hence the Bills are coming thick and fast.
Essentially this Bill establishes a new water regulator along with an associated special interest group – a Maori advisory group.
To add to our understanding of the Bill, we commissioned law firm Simpson Grierson - recommended as experts in local government law - to analyse of the likely effects of provisions in the Bill pertaining to the role of the Maori Advisory Group. We have now received their opinion on the provisions. For a copy of the Simpson Grierson advice, please click HERE.
Please scroll below for more information on the Bill, which includes our summary of the Simpson Grierson advice.
(Legal advice doesn’t come cheap. We would appreciate any financial assistance to help pay the bill. Please donate to the Democracy Action bank account - either by direct credit to account no. 12-3086-0271568-00 or click HERE for the Democracy Action donation page).
On another issue – the indoctrination of our children through fake history. Have you seen the comic book, Ti Tiriti o Waitangi – the comic book by Ross Calman, Mark Derby and Toby Morris? If not, I recommend you read it, especially if you have children or grandchildren at primary or intermediate school. Scroll below for more about this book and the reasons for our concern, and if you are incensed about the misconceptions and in some cases downright fibs it promotes, please contact the Government, demanding it be withdrawn from our schools.
We have been sent an invitation from the Open Government Team at the State Services Commission to attend Open Government Partnership Public Workshops and drop-in sessions in Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. They would like to hear our ideas to improve open government in New Zealand. These will be run throughout March. If you would like to attend, registration information can be found at www.ogp.org.nz/workshops or on the Open Government Partnership Facebook page. You can learn more about the Open Government Partnership at www.ogp.org.nz
Additionally, the State Services Commission is also holding an Open Data, Open Potential seminar in Wellington on 6th March. Please click HERE for details.
You are welcome to share the information in this newsletter with your friends, family and other contacts. Also, please direct to our website anyone who may be interested in the issues we cover and would like to be added to our mailing list. See: https://www.democracyaction.org.nz/about
Our next working group meeting is to be held on Monday 9th March. You are welcome to attend. Please email me at: [email protected] for details.
Thank you for your continued interest and support. If you have any suggestions you would like to offer, or if you need further information or help, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]
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Kind regards,
Susan Short