Submission on the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill

Below is our submission on the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill.

Written submission

Download here


RELATED ARTICLES


Oral submission on the Principles of the Treaty Bill

Presented to the Justice Select Committee by the Chair of Democracy Action, Lee Short on 17 February 2025 “Morena, and Good Morning, Chair and members of the Justice Committee My name is Lee Short. I am the Chair of Democracy Action. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to present our case to you this morning Continue reading

Submission: The Treaty Principles Bill

Democracy Action supports the Bill, though with reservations specifically concerning Principle 2. We support the objective to “create greater certainty and clarity to the meaning of the principles in legislation”. Parliament has failed the nation by incorporating the concept of principles of the Treaty in legislation without providing a clear definition. As a result, unelected bodies like the Waitangi Tribunal and the courts, which lack democratic oversight and accountability, have taken on the task of interpreting these principles. Their interpretations of the "principles of the Treaty" are reshaping New Zealand's constitutional framework, and in doing so undermining the tenets of democracy and equal citizenship. This transformation of the country's constitutional structure has occurred without the consent of the people. Therefore, we welcome this opportunity to participate in a national dialogue regarding the role of the principles of the Treaty within our constitutional framework - a conversation which we consider to be well overdue. Continue reading

Submission: Marine and Coastal Area Act Amendment Bill

Here's our written submission on the government's proposed Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) (Customary Marine Title) Amendment Bill. Continue reading

Submission: Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill

  Written submission Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill. Democracy Action supports the policy of enabling local electors to take part in their local elections and decisions about their local electoral arrangements. Continue reading

Democracy Action oral submission to Auckland Council re: designated Māori seats

Oral submission to the Auckland Council Governing Body on 2 October 2023 Good morning your worship Mayor Brown and Councillors. Thank you for this opportunity to share our views on the council’s proposal to introduce designated Māori seats. I am here representing Democracy Action – a group of citizens advocating for the protection of democracy and equality of citizenship. Continue reading

Submission on the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill

We have put together a simple submission on the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill, which you are welcome to use as a template for your own. Remember the final day for submissions is Wednesday 1 November. Continue reading

Submission on the Natural and Built Environment Bill

Below is a copy of our written and oral submissions on the Natural and Built Environment Bill and Spatial Planning Bill. Continue reading

Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media Bill Submission

We at Democracy Action have significant concerns about the independence of public media under the proposed legislation. We believe the bill does not adequately safeguard editorial freedom. Continue reading

Our key concerns with the Water Services Entities Bill

The impact of the Water Services Entities Bill will be profound. The public and many local authorities appear to share many common concerns about provisions set out in the Bill. These include: Continue reading

Submission on the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Bill

  WRITTEN SUBMISSION Democracy Action does not support the Bill.  We do not support establishing iwi-based power by appointment in our governance arrangements. Therefore, we oppose the purpose of the Act, that is, to enable Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu to appoint up to 2 members to the Canterbury Regional Council.  We urge the Government to reject the Bill in its entirety.  Continue reading

Submissions on the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill

Oral submission text: Thank you for the opportunity to provide comment on the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill. I am presenting this submission on behalf of Democracy Action.  Firstly, I want to make it clear we wholeheartedly support the purpose of the Act - that is to protect, promote, and improve the health and future health of all New Zealanders. But, if the intention is to improve the health of ALL New Zealanders, this proposed legislation is absolutely the wrong way to go about it.  Continue reading