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

‘Co-governance’ is an emerging and developing model of decision-making in New Zealand. The term refers to a shared governance arrangement - with representatives of iwi on one side, and representatives of central and/or local government on the other, each side having equal voting rights at the decision-making table. Continue reading

The Northern Ireland governing system established 25 years ago is set up as a power-sharing style of government that relies on the cooperation of different social groups. This arrangement has not delivered the normalised, shared, and de-polarised democracy which was promised by political leaders and pro-consociation theoreticians. It has serious flaws, many of which have become apparent over time. Continue reading

Callum Purves writes – “The lesson from Northern Ireland is, however well-intentioned, co-government rarely works in practice. It can bring government to a standstill, undermines democratic accountability, and often exacerbates the divisions it is designed to deal with.” Continue reading