The Gene Technology Bill, due for its second reading, is sparking significant public concern. Despite 15,000 submissions—with 97% opposing the Bill—the Select Committee has recommended it proceed, with only minor amendments.
Most opposition focused on environmental safety, public health, and the potential impact on New Zealand’s GE-free reputation. NZ First has also opposed the Bill in its current form, citing insufficient safeguards and protections.
Another key concern causing widespread disquiet is the inclusion of race-based provisions in the law. This directly contradicts the Coalition Agreement between National and NZ First, which promises to “not advance policies that seek to ascribe different rights and responsibilities to New Zealanders on the basis of their race or ancestry,” as well as ACT’s stated commitment to equal citizenship.
While the Bill limits opportunities for public input, it creates a Māori Advisory Committee to review licence applications and advise the Regulator on whether a proposed activity could “materially affect a kaitiaki relationship” with any indigenous species.
The Select Committee has gone even further, recommending that the Māori Advisory Committee also advise on the use of GMO technology involving both indigenous species and “non-indigenous species of significance.”
In practice, this means that any research or innovation involving those species must first go through the Māori Advisory Committee, which would have the power to:
- Determine whether Māori kaitiaki (guardians) have a relationship with that species. (Kaitiaki includes a hapū, iwi, individual who is Māori, or Māori entity).
- Decide whether that relationship would be “materially affected.”
- Set conditions or restrictions to protect that relationship; and
- Recommend that the Regulator not proceed with the proposal if the committee is not satisfied.
Even when no specific iwi or hapū claims guardianship, the committee can still consider “the relationships that Māori in general have” with a species — an inherently subjective and unverifiable standard.
Subjectivity Has No Place in Science
“Kaitiaki relationships” are defined in cultural and spiritual terms. While such concepts are meaningful to adherents, they are not objective measures suitable for a scientific regulator. Decisions about gene technology must rest on evidence, risk assessment, and environmental science — not cultural interpretation.
(N.B. According to the Bill, “kaitiaki relationship,” in relation to a species, means the relationship that any kaitiaki has, or Māori in general have, as guardian, trustee, or caretaker of an indigenous species, in accordance with tikanga.)
Embedding this framework into law will burden scientists and innovators with another layer of bureaucracy, creating legal uncertainty, inconsistency, and unpredictable delays. It enables a system in which Maori relationships with indigenous species can influence which projects proceed.
New Zealand can uphold the Treaty of Waitangi and respect cultural perspectives without institutionalising race in science law. Regulation of emerging technologies must be based on science, merit, and transparent standards.
What You Can Do
If you believe gene technology should be guided by science, not race, now is the time to act.
The Government can still remove the race-based provisions before the Bill becomes law. The key decision-maker is Dr Shane Reti, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.
Take Action:
- Write to Dr Shane Reti, the PM Chris Luxon, David Seymour and Winston Peters, as well as your local MP, urging them to remove race-based provisions from the Gene Technology Bill.
- Tell them you support a merit-based, scientific approach to regulating innovation — not one shaped by politics or cultural belief.
- Ask them to remove all clauses that create race-specific advisory or governance structures.
- Share this message with others who believe in reputable science, evidence-based regulation, and legal certainty.
Email addresses
Dr Reti: [email protected]
PM Luxon: [email protected]
David Seymour: [email protected]
Winston Peters: [email protected]
All MPs' contact details are available on the NZ Parliament website HERE
Short on time? Use Hobson’s Pledge email tool to quickly send a message to the Ministers — click HERE
References
Final Report from the Health Committee
The Coalition Agreement between the National Party and NZ First
Media coverage
RNZ: NZ First to withhold support for Gene Tech bill unless major changes are made
Opinion
CENTRIST GRAHAM ADAMS: Tikanga inserted into cutting-edge gene bill