By now you've probably heard of the National Government's plans to make protest at sea illegal through an amendment to the Crown Minerals (Permitting and Crown Land) Bill. From NZ Stuff:

An amendment to the Crown Minerals Bill which will allow the Defence Force to arrest and detain anti-mining protesters outside of New Zealand's 12-mile territorial limit, was introduced by Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges.

It will introduce heavy penalties of up to $100,000 in fines or a year in prison for illegal protests.

The Government said the amendment was not the result of lobbying by the oil and gas industry, but rather a response to threats of criminal damage and unlawful interference.

However, a demonstration two years ago where protesters swam in front of a Petrobras drill ship was the only local incident Bridges could point to. 

Even worse, this amendment is being done as a Supplementary Order Paper and will not be referred to the Select Committee or subject to a Bill of Rights compliance report from the Attorney-General.

Greenpeace have published a legal analysis of the bill.

Opinion

I am opposed to this law and furthermore I am opposed to the way it is being pushed through without proper scrutiny. It demonstrates a government stomping on our civil liberties without even an attempt to show that it is justified.

You can sign the Greenpeace petition against the bill here.