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: Bizarre Government secrecy keeps public in the dark about law changes affecting the OIA
The Council is disturbed by the Ministry of Justice's secretive consultation on guidance about proposed laws that oust the Official Information Act. Keep reading “Media release: Bizarre Government secrecy keeps public in the dark about law changes affecting the OIA”
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”
Meeting Dates in 2024
Our monthly committee meeting are open to anyone who wishes to attend.
A typical meeting includes:
- Updates on our major
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”
Submission: Public safety and serious offenders: a review of preventive detention and post-sentence orders
The Council opposes preventative detention and post-sentence orders in principle. The Council reluctantly acknowledges that the rest of our systems are in such an unsatisfactory state that we can not recommend abolishing preventative detention at this time. There are small numbers of people who are dangers to themselves and others who are currently managed though preventative detention. Keep reading “Submission: Public safety and serious offenders: a review of preventive detention and post-sentence orders”
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”
Complacency on Open Government a risk to democracy – Helen Clark
Watch the video recording of the April 2023 event on open government with Sanjay Pradhan and Helen Clark from the Open Government Partnership, Helmut Modlik of Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, Andrew Ecclestone and Suzanne Snively. Keep reading “Complacency on Open Government a risk to democracy – Helen Clark”
Submission:Immigration (Mass Arrivals) Amendment Bill
Seeking refuge is a human right. This bill discriminates against asylum seekers who associate with one another. It is unconscionable to imprison people seeking refuge for nothing more than associating with other people with similar needs. The Council calls for the Committee to reject this bill. Keep reading “Submission:Immigration (Mass Arrivals) Amendment Bill”
Submission: Resale Right for Visual Artists Bill
The bill requires the Minister to appoint a 'collection agency' to collect and distribute royalties on the re-sale of visual works of art. But the bill does not make this body subject to the OIA, Ombudsmen Act, Public Audit Act or Public Records Act. We recommend this is fixed. Keep reading “Submission: Resale Right for Visual Artists Bill”
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”
Submission: Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation Bill
This bill is an affront to our democracy. The autocratic measures at the heart of this bill are precisely the sort of executive overreach the Council was founded to prevent. The process for passing this legislation under urgency is a further affront to democracy. Keep reading “Submission: Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation Bill”