·       Professionals are increasingly risking disciplinary action for expressing lawful opinions.

·       Democracy Action is encouraging everyone to support the campaign to protect freedom of expression and ensure regulators focus on professional competence—not ideology.

·       Please urge the Government to adopt the Regulated Professions Neutrality Bill to restore political neutrality to New Zealand's professional regulators.

• The Medical Council is consulting on draft statements on Cultural Competence, Cultural Safety, and Hauora Māori – consultation closes 24 March.
• While respectful patient care is essential, parts of the drafts embed contested political ideas beyond clinical practice.
• Proposals require doctors to affirm beliefs about colonialism, privilege, or power structures.
• Doctors would be required to monitor and report colleagues’ perceived biases.
• Professional regulation should focus on patient care and competence, not political or activist advocacy.
• Make a submission: even a short note supporting respectful care while raising concerns about ideological overreach can help.

Former Prime Minister Sir Bill English described Codes of Conduct as a threat to democracy a good 15 years ago, but we didn't heed his warning. Today they are being used by Councils as a tool to silence our elected representatives - blocking criticism by councillors. This is undermining the democratic process. 

Codes of Conduct are designed to ensure the reputation of the Council is upheld within the community. They are not meant to be used as a means of preventing elected members from expressing their views. However, it appears this is happening to an alarming degree.

Submissions close Friday 6^th August

Since releasing its discussion document aimed at seeking opinions before the Government comes up with hate speech law changes, the proposals have been met with ‘don’t do it’ pleas from all sides of the political spectrum.