To: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee

I wish to submit on the India Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill.

Oral Submission to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee on the New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement Opposing the Inclusion of UNDRIP Delivered on behalf of Democracy Action Inc.

28/05/26

Chair and Committee Members, thank you for the opportunity to speak today.

My name is Lee Short, appearing for Democracy Action. We are a non-partisan group of New Zealand citizens, founded in 2012, concerned about the erosion of democratic equality and the principle of one person, one vote, regardless of ancestry.

RE RESOURCE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL

This submission is on the iwi provisions in the Resource Legislation Amendment Bill

Submitted on the 7th March 2016

Submission to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee on the New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement

Opposing the inclusion of UNDRIP in the Agreement

Submitted by Democracy Action Inc.

16 May 2026

Submission Template

To The Medical Council of New Zealand

Via email: [email protected]

Subject line: Consultation on Cultural Competence and Hauora Māori

Submission on Medical Council Draft Statements: Cultural Competence and Cultural Safety / Hauora Māori

Democracy Action supports the broad intent of the Planning Bill to simplify the resource management system, reduce red tape, empower landowners, and provide greater certainty. New Zealand needs a more efficient planning framework that supports growth while managing environmental effects and natural hazards.

We support the broad objectives of the Natural Environment Bill to create a more efficient, certain, and outcomes-focused system for managing New Zealand’s natural resources. Replacing the complex Resource Management Act is long overdue.

Thank you for the opportunity to present our views on the Regulatory Standards Bill.

Democracy Action is in favour of the Bill. We approve of the aim to raise the standards for the formulation of laws and regulations. The decline in performance is clear; in 1998, New Zealand held the second position globally in terms of regulatory efficiency, but according to the OECD, it has now dropped to 20th place. We must act to enhance regulatory efficiency once again.

Introduction

Thank you for the opportunity to present Democracy Action’s submission on the proposed Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Deed of Acknowledgement.

Democracy Action is a not-for-profit incorporated society established to champion the importance of democracy and equality of citizenship in New Zealand. Based in Auckland (with supporters throughout New Zealand), we have actively advocated for the protection of democratic principles since 2012. https://www.democracyaction.org.nz/who_we_are

Democracy Action has two points we would like to raise regarding the proposed Deed of Acknowledgement.

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