Water services under new management: regional entities, iwi partnerships, and the end of local control. Across New Zealand, new water service entities are being established under the Government’s “Local Water Done Well” framework, marking a significant shift in how water services are owned, controlled, and politically overseen. Continue reading

The coalition agreement between National and NZ First committed to reviewing all legislation referencing “Treaty principles,” with the aim of replacing or repealing those references. The Government established a ministerial oversight group and expert advisory panel to carry out the review. A list of 23 laws was identified as being in scope, and the review was expected to be completed by August 2025. Since that timeframe passed, there has been little to no public update or visible progress. Continue reading

See more posted on the Democracy Action Facebook page National Walking Away From Its Co-Governance Promises Michael Laws interviews the NZ Taxpayers’ Union CEO Jordan Williams about the government’s broken promise of no co-governance of public services. VIEW HERE Continue reading

The Medical Council is consulting on draft statements on Cultural Competence, Cultural Safety, and Hauora Māori – consultation closes 24 March. While respectful patient care is essential, parts of the drafts embed contested political ideas beyond clinical practice. Proposals require doctors to affirm beliefs about colonialism, privilege, or power structures. Doctors would be required to monitor and report colleagues’ perceived biases. Professional regulation should focus on patient care and competence, not political or activist advocacy. Make a submission: even a short note supporting respectful care while raising concerns about ideological overreach can help. Continue reading

The Taupō Council’s Draft Joint Management Agreement would hand the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board unprecedented influence over local decisions. From planning and enforcement to resource consents, powers normally held by elected councillors would be subject to shared decision-making. Continue reading

While the Māori seats were historically a tool for inclusion, they now institutionalise separatism, unequal treatment, and electoral distortions. Abolishing them would better align with MMP's core principle of proportional, equal representation for all citizens, promote national unity, eliminate overhang risks, and remove ethnicity-based privileges—allowing New Zealand's democracy to operate on principles of equality, fairness and shared citizenship. Continue reading

See more posted on the Democracy Action Facebook page Hapū Seek Ocean Status Taranaki iwi/hapū are making a bid for recognised legal authority and regulatory control over coastal and marine areas, particularly in relation to fisheries management. READ MORE Continue reading

Democracy Action supports the broad intent of the Planning Bill to simplify the resource management system, reduce red tape, empower landowners, and provide greater certainty. New Zealand needs a more efficient planning framework that supports growth while managing environmental effects and natural hazards. Continue reading

We support the broad objectives of the Natural Environment Bill to create a more efficient, certain, and outcomes-focused system for managing New Zealand’s natural resources. Replacing the complex Resource Management Act is long overdue. Continue reading

The proposed changes promote unequal influence and a much weaker public voice The government has introduced two bills designed to replace the RMA by separating land-use planning from natural resource management: Continue reading