Please see more posted on the Democracy Action Facebook page RICHARD PREBBLE: Letter of resignation from the Waitangi Tribunal Read Richard Prebble’s letter of resignation from The Waitangi Tribunal, in which he claims that the Treaty as currently interpreted has become a socialist manifesto and a source of never-ending grievance, adding that he is not willing to carry out the Tribunal’s proposed strategic plan. READ MORE Continue reading

Presented to the Justice Select Committee by the Chair of Democracy Action, Lee Short on 17 February 2025 “Morena, and Good Morning, Chair and members of the Justice Committee My name is Lee Short. I am the Chair of Democracy Action. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to present our case to you this morning Continue reading

Last November, the Minister of Conservation, Tama Potaka, called for public feedback on two discussion documents that include proposals to change the management of the conservation system, and to consider implementing fees for access to certain areas of the conservation estate. We have until 5 pm Friday, February 28 to have a say. Continue reading

Currently, a process is underway in Auckland Council that would give two iwi - Te Kawerau ā Maki and at a later stage, Ngati Whātua - co-governance over the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park and the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area. Another proposal currently under consideration, also initiated by Te Kawerau ā Maki, involves restricting public access to a considerable section of the regional park. This area accounts for 35% of the park's total land. Implementing this proposal would eliminate 19 tracks, with 3 being partially closed and 16 fully closed. Continue reading

Whanganui iwi have successfully convinced the Whanganui District Council to adopt a proposal to create of a platform for joint initiatives that detail how the council is to partner with the post-settlement governance entity proposed by the Whanganui Land Settlement Negotiations Trust (WLSNT). Continue reading

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Democracy Action supports the Bill, though with reservations specifically concerning Principle 2. We support the objective to “create greater certainty and clarity to the meaning of the principles in legislation”. Parliament has failed the nation by incorporating the concept of principles of the Treaty in legislation without providing a clear definition. As a result, unelected bodies like the Waitangi Tribunal and the courts, which lack democratic oversight and accountability, have taken on the task of interpreting these principles. Their interpretations of the "principles of the Treaty" are reshaping New Zealand's constitutional framework, and in doing so undermining the tenets of democracy and equal citizenship. This transformation of the country's constitutional structure has occurred without the consent of the people. Therefore, we welcome this opportunity to participate in a national dialogue regarding the role of the principles of the Treaty within our constitutional framework - a conversation which we consider to be well overdue. Continue reading

The Whanganui Lands Negotiation Settlement Trust (WLSNT) and the Crown negotiator are seeking agreement from the Whanganui District Council to support the Trust's aspiration to establish a partnership framework with the Council, aiming to include this proposal in their Treaty settlement. Continue reading

Two discussion documents have been released by the Department of Conservation for public feedback. One proposes implementing fees for access to some public conservation areas, while the other concerns the management of conservation land. Continue reading

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