Douglas Ewen 1967 – 2024
Douglas Ewen KC, who died on 4 August, was a long-time member of the Council and served on its Executive Committee. Keep reading “Douglas Ewen 1967 – 2024”
thomas@nzccl.org.nz
10th July 2024 – Webinar: Facial recognition and the NZ Police
Interested in how facial recognition technology (FRT) might be used in policing? What are the ethical considerations in using FRT … Keep reading “10th July 2024 – Webinar: Facial recognition and the NZ Police”
Watch the Physical Privacy in Prison webinar
Watch Anna Smart, the winner of the 2023 NZCCL VUW Law Essay Prize, present their work and answer questions at our webinar held in April. Keep reading “Watch the Physical Privacy in Prison webinar”
23 April 2024 – Webinar: Physical Privacy in Prison
We’re very pleased that Anna Smart, winner of the 2023 NZCCL VUW Law Essay Prize has agreed to present her … Keep reading “23 April 2024 – Webinar: Physical Privacy in Prison”
Essay prize winner announced!
We are delighted to announce that the winner of the NZ Council for Civil Liberties essay prize for 2023 is … Keep reading “Essay prize winner announced!”
Media release: we oppose gang patch ban
The Council views the government’s proposals to further undermine the civil liberties of New Zealanders accused of being gang members … Keep reading “Media release: we oppose gang patch ban”
Chairperson’s Report 2023
2023 was of course an election year, and it was an election campaign that civil liberties issues did not feature in much. However it seems that we now have a new government that has made a number of promises around changes to law enforcement, many of which have implications for both justice and civil liberties. Keep reading “Chairperson’s Report 2023”
Nov 7th – Let’s Talk: new govt & new year
Come and join an informal chat about civil liberties over food/drink at the Southern Cross Bar in Wellington. This time’s … Keep reading “Nov 7th – Let’s Talk: new govt & new year”
Submission: Ram Raid Offending and Related Measures Amendment Bill
We oppose this bill because expanding criminal responsibility and the associated search and forced body sample regime to 12-13 year olds is unjust and a breach of international justice standards. Keep reading “Submission: Ram Raid Offending and Related Measures Amendment Bill”
Submission: Electoral (Lowering Voting Age for Local Elections and Polls) Legislation Bill
While disappointed it's not for national elections as well, we support the Electoral (Lowering Voting Age for Local Elections and Polls) Legislation Bill to lower the voting age for local body elections to 16. Keep reading “Submission: Electoral (Lowering Voting Age for Local Elections and Polls) Legislation Bill”
Response to Privacy Commission’s 2023 Biometrics Discussion Paper
The Council is worried about the widespread use of biometrics for surveillance, tracking, and invading people’s privacy. We further believe that the unconstrained use of biometric technology is a threat to our freedoms and civil liberties. Keep reading “Response to Privacy Commission’s 2023 Biometrics Discussion Paper”
The Founding and Early History of the New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties
An interesting and informative history of the founding and early history of the NZ Council for Civil Liberties, presented as a talk by Lindsay Ferguson at our 2021 AGM. Keep reading “The Founding and Early History of the New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties”
Submission: Corrections Amendment Bill
The Corrections Amendment Bill sets new rules around the use of non-lethal weapons in prisons, updates the methods used for the interception of prisoner communications, and allows for the mixing of remand and convicted prisoners in some situations. Keep reading “Submission: Corrections Amendment Bill”
Submission: Content Regulation review
Read our response to the DIA's content regulation review. Keep reading “Submission: Content Regulation review”
Aug 15th – Let’s talk: online content review
Come have a chat about civil liberties over food/drink at the Southern Cross Bar in Wellington. This week's topic: online content regulation. Keep reading “Aug 15th – Let’s talk: online content review”
Let’s Talk: Police oversight and the toothless IPCA
Is oversight of the police working in New Zealand? The IPCA (Independent Police Conduct Authority) can investigate complaints but the … Keep reading “Let’s Talk: Police oversight and the toothless IPCA”
Let’s Talk: facial recognition
How do you feel about the increasing use of facial recognition in public places? Should supermarkets be allowed to use … Keep reading “Let’s Talk: facial recognition”
Event 13 April – Strengthening Democracy through Open Government
As you will have seen from our work over the last couple of years, NZCCL has put considerable effort into … Keep reading “Event 13 April – Strengthening Democracy through Open Government”
Media release: Government passing Returning Offenders Bill under urgency tramples our rights
Tonight the government is using urgency to erode New Zealander’s right to justice. It’s passing the Returning Offenders (Management and Information) Amendment Bill through all three stages in one session, thus avoiding scrutiny and the democratic responsibility to consult on legislation. Keep reading “Media release: Government passing Returning Offenders Bill under urgency tramples our rights”
Submission: Human Rights (Incitement on Ground of Religious Belief) Amendment Bill
The full text of our submission to the Justice Select Committee opposing the Human Rights (Incitement on Ground of Religious Belief) Amendment Bill. Keep reading “Submission: Human Rights (Incitement on Ground of Religious Belief) Amendment Bill”