NZ Council for Civil Liberties

Andrew Ecclestone

News

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”

Submissions

Submission: Term of Parliament (Enabling 4-year Term) Legislation Amendment Bill

This bill would possibly extend the term of Parliament to 4 years. The Council strongly recommends that this bill is not passed. Proponents of a four-year term would be better served by first enacting methods to strengthen the legislature and our democracy by dispersing power more widely, and ensuring these measures are deeply embedded. Keep reading “Submission: Term of Parliament (Enabling 4-year Term) Legislation Amendment Bill”

News

Freedom to protest – Letter to IPCA

The Council has written to the Independent Police Conduct Authority, about its recent report, Review of the policing of public protests in New Zealand. We know that IPCA is not subject to the Official Information Act 1982, but we are asking them for information gathered during the course of producing its report anyway. Keep reading “Freedom to protest – Letter to IPCA”

Submissions

Submission: List of Issues Prior to Reporting for Aotearoa New Zealand’s 2025 Review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

The peformance by New Zealand of its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is being reviewed by the UN's Human Rights Committee. The Council made a submission on issues we think the HRC should ask the government about during the review. Keep reading “Submission: List of Issues Prior to Reporting for Aotearoa New Zealand’s 2025 Review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights”

Submissions

Submission: Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill

The Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill creates several new criminal offences. However, it is very broadly drafted, meaning people engaging in legitimate political activities, such as protests, could face sentences of up to 10 years in jail. The Bill also empowers the Police to carry out searches related to these offences without having to get a search warrant. We oppose the bill and have also recommended amendments. Keep reading “Submission: Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill”

Submissions

Submission: Consultation on proposed Regulatory Standards Bill

The government is proposing to introduce a Regulatory Standards Bill, which would define principles of liberty and property against which all other legislation would be tested. The Council is opposed to the proposals, and believes they seek to make the 'liberties' and property rights of companies as important as people's human rights. Keep reading “Submission: Consultation on proposed Regulatory Standards Bill”

News

CSOs call on the Minister for the Public Service and Finance to adequately fund Open Government Partnership work

Eight civil society organisations have written to Minister Willis who is both the Minister responsible for New Zealand's membership of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), and Minister of Finance asking her to ensure that adequate funding is provided so that ambitious new pieces of work are committed to in our next National Action Plan. Keep reading “CSOs call on the Minister for the Public Service and Finance to adequately fund Open Government Partnership work”
Logo of the Open Government Partnership

Submissions

Comments on Aotearoa’s 4th Open Government Partnership National Action Plan

The draft of Aotearoa's 4th Open Government Partnership National Action Plan is another disappointing piece of work stuffed with pre-planned work, aside from one commitment on equitable access to public services. Read the Council's submission. Keep reading “Comments on Aotearoa’s 4th Open Government Partnership National Action Plan”