Yes!! We have great news on the democracy front - the Government has announced that voting on council committees will be restricted to elected members. This restores a basic democratic principle: those who exercise voting power over public decisions should be directly accountable to the voters. (Unfortunately, this principle does not extend to Auckland’s Independent Māori Statutory Board or to the two seats on the Canterbury Regional Council specifically reserved for representatives appointed by Ngāi Tahu).
This change did not happen by accident. It is the result of public advocacy, submissions, letters, articles, and countless conversations by ordinary New Zealanders who refuse to stay silent. Every person who took the time to speak up helped make this outcome possible. It is a reminder that democracy works best when citizens get involved—and that people power can still make a difference!
A big thank you also to everyone who submitted on the New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement. The strong response to the inclusion of the UNDRIP clause showed that many New Zealanders are concerned about constitutional change being advanced through international agreements rather than democratic debate.
But the work is not over. In this issue, we look at two important campaigns where public pressure can still make a difference.
The UNDRIP Clause in the India FTA
The submission process has closed, but the fight to remove the UNDRIP clause from the New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement is not over.
Article 13.2 has nothing to do with trade, yet it could be used to further embed UNDRIP principles into New Zealand law and policy. The clause can still be removed before ratification without affecting the agreement's trade benefits.
👉 If you are concerned, now is the time to contact MPs and Ministers to insist that Article 13.2, which affirms UNDRIP, be removed before ratification.
See ‘Scrap the UNDRIP Clause from the India FTA’ for details.
Iwi Participation Arrangements: Local Government’s under-the-radar transformation
A major shift in local government is occurring largely out of public view. Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements (MWaR) – i.e. Iwi Participation Arrangements - are creating long-term statutory agreements between councils and iwi authorities that can influence planning, governance, resource management, and council decision-making for years to come.
Currently, there is a rush to finalise these agreements before the Government's RMA reforms take effect.
👉 Show your concern by sending an urgent message to the Minister responsible for RMA reform, Chris Bishop, requesting an immediate moratorium on any new MWaR agreements. Read more about this at:
‘Mana Whakahono a Rohe: The death of democracy by a thousand cuts?’
The Fight to Save Auckland's Maunga Trees Continues
You may recall our May 2024 article on the Tūpuna Maunga Authority's programme to remove exotic trees from Auckland's maunga.
The battle is not over. On 15 April, the Authority and an Ōtāhuhu resident representing the Respect Mt Richmond community group returned to court in the latest stage of a long-running legal challenge over the TMA’s plans to remove hundreds of trees from Mt Richmond/Ōtāhuhu.
The community group has been fundraising to meet the substantial legal costs involved and is currently about $6,000 short of its target.
👉 How you can help: please consider donating through their give-a-little page HERE.
Recommended Reading
We recommend revisiting an article by Elizabeth Rata, first published in 2021:
The Road to He Puapua – Is There Really a Treaty Partnership?
In this article, Professor Elizabeth Rata - recently made a Dame in the King's Birthday Honours - examines the concept of a Treaty "partnership". She argues that the partnership interpretation has evolved over recent decades through political and judicial developments rather than from the text of the Treaty itself. The article explores how this idea has influenced public policy and governance, including proposals associated with He Puapua, and discusses the implications for democracy, citizenship, and equal political rights.
For more perspectives and analysis, explore the articles and commentaries featured in the Further News, Views and Commentaries section below.
Get Involved!
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👉 Facebook: Democracy Action
👉 X: @DemocracyActNZ
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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