Meeting dates in 2026
Our monthly committee meeting are open to anyone who wishes to attend. Meetings take place between 7.30pm and 9:00pm by … Keep reading “Meeting dates in 2026”
Launch: Protect Protest Aotearoa
After talking to other people and groups who share our concerns we've joined together to form Protect Protest Aotearoa. We're going to work together to defend the right to protest in Aotearoa New Zealand.
On Wednesday October 15th we're launching our campaign and our new website and you're invited. Keep reading “Launch: Protect Protest Aotearoa”
Submission: Demonstrations Near Residential Premises Amendment Bill
The Council opposes this attempt to limit our right to protest as a completely unjustified restraint on our civil liberties. If it should pass we make suggestions for improvements including tighter definitions and the requirement to give a warning before arrest. Keep reading “Submission: Demonstrations Near Residential Premises Amendment Bill”
Submission: Review of Standing Orders 2026
Our submission to the 2026 Standing Orders Review focuses on improvements to select committee scrutiny of bills, improving public participation earlier in the policy and legislation development process, and restricting the use of urgency. Keep reading “Submission: Review of Standing Orders 2026”
Submission: Regulatory Systems (Internal Affairs) Amendment Bill
The Operation Burnham inquiry concluded that NZDF should not be uncritically trusted to oversee itself. Given that the IGD appears not to be overseeing NZDF either, the Public Records Act remains the primary safeguard we have as a nation to hold NZDF accountable for its mistakes. Keep reading “Submission: Regulatory Systems (Internal Affairs) Amendment Bill”
Submission: Electoral Amendment Bill
The Council strongly opposes the Electoral Amendment Bill, which will weaken our democracy by limiting who can vote, and removing the ability to enrol after the election is called. Keep reading “Submission: Electoral Amendment Bill”
Essay prize webinars now viewable online
Thanks to our NZCCL/VUW Law essay prize winners for taking the time to present their essays and answer questions in our webinars. These were recorded and are now available online. Keep reading “Essay prize webinars now viewable online”
Submission: Harm to young people online inquiry
Our submission to the Education & Workforce Select Committee in which we support the rights of young New Zealanders to take advantage of the internet, and suggest a few measures which would make the internet better for everyone. Keep reading “Submission: Harm to young people online inquiry”
Guest post: Serious accuracy issues identified in Foodstuffs facial recognition trial
Guest post from Mary Sagen pointing out concerns with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner's report into the Foodstuffs facial recognition technology trial. Keep reading “Guest post: Serious accuracy issues identified in Foodstuffs facial recognition trial”
Secret Ministry of Justice consultation on Terrorism Suppression Act
The Ministry of Justice is secretly consulting with handpicked people and groups about proposals to radically strengthen ministers powers to designate groups as 'terrorist', and create offences for supporting them or publishing information that could be seen as support. Keep reading “Secret Ministry of Justice consultation on Terrorism Suppression Act”
5th August 2025: Webinar: Kia Tangi Tonu Tātou: The Call for Constitutional Transformation in Aotearoa
Come and hear essay prize winner India Bulman present her essay 'Kia Tangi Tonu Tātou: The Call for Constitutional Transformation in Aotearoa' Keep reading “5th August 2025: Webinar: Kia Tangi Tonu Tātou: The Call for Constitutional Transformation in Aotearoa”
16th July 2025 – Webinar: Overcrowded and Understaffed – Remand in Aotearoa
Come and hear essay prize winner Emily McKechnie present her essay 'Overcrowded and Understaffed: How Aotearoa’s international human rights obligations are struggling to prevent ill-treatment of the growing remand population' Keep reading “16th July 2025 – Webinar: Overcrowded and Understaffed – Remand in Aotearoa”
Submission: Valuers Bill
The Valuers Bill updates the 1948 Act to regulate the profession of land valuers. But the bill fails to make the Valuers Registration Board subject to the OIA, Ombudsmen Act, or Public Records Act. This is out of step with other regulators of professions. We recommend this is fixed. Keep reading “Submission: Valuers Bill”
Submission: Regulatory Standards Bill
The government's Regulatory Standards Bill defines principles of liberty and property against which all other legislation would be tested. The Council is strongly opposed to the bill, and believes they seek to make the 'liberties' and property rights of companies as important as people's human rights. Keep reading “Submission: Regulatory Standards Bill”
Submission: Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 2)
Prioritising freedom of expression over other BORA rights is an unjustified limit of those other rights. If the only way in which the bill can be made compatible with BORA is by putting an obligation on Universities to lie to the public then the bill must be altered. Keep reading “Submission: Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 2)”
Media release: We can’t just turn off the internet for those under 16
The Council opposes the Social Media Age-Restricted Users Bill which would ban those under 16 from accessing social media. Keep reading “Media release: We can’t just turn off the internet for those under 16”
Open Government Partnership – CSO letter to Minister and response
Civil society organisations have written to Minister Collins who – following the reshuffle – is now the Minister responsible for New Zealand's membership of the Open Government Partnership (OGP). We suggested commitments for our fifth National Action Plan, and sought a meeting with the minister. Keep reading “Open Government Partnership – CSO letter to Minister and response”
NZCCL / VUW Law essay prize winner announced!
Announcing the winner of the NZ Council for Civil Liberties VUW Law essay prize for 2024, as well as a special prize for a second essay. Keep reading “NZCCL / VUW Law essay prize winner announced!”
Guest post ‘Thematic Review: The Policing of public protests in New Zealand’: A Critical Response
Guest post discussing the significant issues with the IPCA's report ‘Thematic Review: The Policing of public protests in New Zealand’ which recommends changes to legislation and policing around public protests in Aotearoa. Keep reading “Guest post ‘Thematic Review: The Policing of public protests in New Zealand’: A Critical Response”
Submission: Land Transport (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill
The Council strongly opposes the system of mass surveillance which the government intends to create as a side effect of implementing the bill. Keep reading “Submission: Land Transport (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill”