< September 2026 newsletter


News, Views, Commentaries……

News, Views, Commentaries……

See more posted on the Democracy Action Facebook page

How Corporate Iwi Outmanoeuvre the Fragmented Right

Commentator Pee Kay believes New Zealand is witnessing the formidable operations of a highly sophisticated, unified political force, the Māori sovereignty machine, and that we are sleepwalking into a constitutional crisis. READ MORE

Rick, from the Anglo-Saxon Show, explores this issue further. Click HERE to view.

Judicial Power, Democratic Accountability, and the Smith Case: Gary Judd KC argues that the Supreme Court lacks democratic responsibility and accountability: its excesses demand clearer leadership from the legal profession. READ MORE

 Who decides what the law is? In this important article, constitutional lawyer Roger Partridge raises a fundamental question about the direction of New Zealand’s judiciary: are our courts moving beyond interpreting the law and increasingly assuming a role in shaping the country’s constitutional arrangements? He argues that this represents a profound departure from the traditional constitutional principle that Parliament — whose members are elected and accountable to voters — remains sovereign. READ MORE

 ACT Party takes aim at 'activist judges', Treaty of Waitangi clauses. The ACT Party has released a policy designed to protect core democratic values and property rights, rein in "activist judges" and stop Parliament creating "divisive" Treaty of Waitangi clauses. Party leader David Seymour said. "ACT will add three principles to the Constitution Act, affirming the basic values that Parliament is sovereign, the rule of law is fundamental and all New Zealanders are equal before the law." READ MORE

 Horizons Regional Council calls halt to 11 iwi partnership processes ahead of RMA repeal. Horizons Regional councillors have agreed to wind down the Mana Whakahono ā Rohe (MWāR) processes initiated by 14 iwi entities, but they plan to shift toward alternative partnership arrangements. READ MORE

 Northland Doesn’t Need a Super‑Council — It Needs Local Democracy That Works. Kaipara Councillor Craig writes that the proposed “super council” risks concentrating power and weakening local representation. The answer isn't to take decisions further from communities, but to make local government more accountable, responsive, and genuinely answerable to the people who fund it. READ MORE

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