Over the past year, the government-appointed Electoral Review Panel has been looking at our general election laws and procedures “to find out what is working well and what could change”. The Panel has formed an initial view and would like to hear what we think before finalising their report for the Minister of Justice.  We have until July 17 to have our say. Continue reading

Consultation is now open on a proposed approach to regulating online services and media platforms in New Zealand. You can read more about the background to this work on the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) website HERE, which includes links to the discussion document and supporting information. Continue reading

After reviewing more than 3,000 submissions, the Environment Select Committee has reported back to Parliament (27 June) on the Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Bills.   Despite the hundreds of amendments to the bills, the report does nothing to alleviate our concerns. The proposed legislation continues to enshrine inequitable rights based on race; reduces democratic accountability; diminishes local voices; and increases uncertainty.  You can read our original article that lays out our concerns here. Continue reading

Welcome to our compilation of the latest news, perspectives, and thought-provoking opinions. Continue reading

Proponents of the campaign to embed separate race-based systems at all levels of government in New Zealand  - whereby tangata whenua govern themselves and the Crown govern the others - as suggested in the Matike Mai and He Puapua reports - came one step closer to realising their goal by having the Crown entity The NZ Human Rights Commission state that it is proud to publish a report which makes the preposterous claim that that the elimination of racism will not occur without promoting race-based constitutional change and co-governance with Māori.  Continue reading

With so much going on, it’s easy to miss the progress of the claims made under the Marine and Coastal Area Act (Takutai Moana) 2011. But progressing they are. Currently case management conferences are being held in different parts of the country for those who have applied for recognition of customary marine title and rights via the High Court option.  Continue reading

The Electoral Review panel has released its interim report with draft recommendations on proposed changes to our parliamentary electoral system. Continue reading

The integrity of our electoral system is critical to upholding our democratic system. However, the 2022 election exposed serious issues about the way we conduct local body elections. Continue reading

Editor's choice of recently published news, views, and opinions that may be of interest. Continue reading

A brief explanation. In 2011 the National Government passed the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act “to provide for the recognition of the customary rights of iwi, hapū and whānau in the common marine and coastal area”. This legislation replaced the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004. It allows Māori whanau [family], hapu [subtribe] and iwi [tribe] groups to apply for recognition orders in specific areas of the coastal marine area. Continue reading