NZ Council for Civil Liberties

April 19, 2024

Submission: Fast-track Approvals Bill

The Fast-track Approvals Bill does not just remove our rights to participate in environmental decision-making, it removes our right to information under the OIA, taking us back to the dark days of Muldoon and the Official Secrets Act. Keep reading

Blog Posts

April 11, 2024

What’s going on with the appointment of a new Ombudsman?

The Council has written to the Speaker of the House of Representatives today, about the issues with the appointment of the next Ombudsman, and made an Official Information Act request to the Ministry of Justice. This blog post is to explain why, and the letter is reproduced at the end. Keep reading

Submissions

April 10, 2024

Secrecy clauses that override the Official Information Act

The Council responded to a Ministry of Justice consultation on secrecy clauses that override the Official Information Act. We concluded the consultation was wholly unfit. It will not lead to stronger testing of claims for secrecy, as it sets out no standards. Keep reading

Submissions

April 8, 2024

Submission on the Draft Voluntary Code of Conduct for lobbyists

The Council's response to a consultation by the Ministry of Justice on the draft of a voluntary Code of Conduct for lobbyists. We're concerned by the definition of 'lobbyist' and how weak the draft Code is. Keep reading

Submissions

April 6, 2024

Submission: Gangs Legislation Amendment Bill

This Bill is a gross infringement of our civil liberties including the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of association, and freedom of peaceful assembly. The Council recommends that the Committee reject this Bill in its entirety. Keep reading

Submissions

April 6, 2024

Submission: Firearms Prohibition Orders Legislation Amendment Bill

The Council condemns this bill in the strongest terms. The word for Police interactions “without having reasonable grounds to suspect that any offence has been, is being, or will be committed” is harassment. Keep reading

Events

April 2, 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 “Webinar: Physical Privacy in Prison”

Articles

March 24, 2024

What the Royal Commission on Lessons from COVID-19 should consider

The Council has summarised its thoughts on civil liberties and the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are various lessons to be learned that are key to retaining public trust and confidence in times of crisis. Keep reading

Submissions

March 13, 2024

Ram Raids Bill Oral Submission

The Attorney General has decided that this bill can not be justified in a free and democratic society. That’s a serious condemnation from a trusted source. The Council urges the committee to kill this bill. Keep reading

Articles

March 4, 2024

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!”

News

February 28, 2024

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

News

February 25, 2024

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”

Events

February 7, 2024

Meeting Dates in 2024

Our monthly committee meeting are open to anyone who wishes to attend.

A typical meeting includes:

Updates on our major

… Keep reading

Events

October 24, 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”

Submissions

October 23, 2023

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

Submissions

October 18, 2023

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

Submissions

August 27, 2023

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

Articles

August 13, 2023

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

Submissions

August 13, 2023

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

Submissions

August 7, 2023

Submission: Content Regulation review

Read our response to the DIA's content regulation review. Keep reading

Submission: Fast-track Approvals Bill

What’s going on with the appointment of a new Ombudsman?

Secrecy clauses that override the Official Information Act

Submission on the Draft Voluntary Code of Conduct for lobbyists

Submission: Gangs Legislation Amendment Bill

Submission: Firearms Prohibition Orders Legislation Amendment Bill

Webinar: Physical Privacy in Prison

What the Royal Commission on Lessons from COVID-19 should consider

Ram Raids Bill Oral Submission

Essay prize winner announced!

Media release: Bizarre Government secrecy keeps public in the dark about law changes affecting the OIA

Media release: we oppose gang patch ban

Meeting Dates in 2024

Nov 7th – Let’s Talk: new govt & new year

Submission: Ram Raid Offending and Related Measures Amendment Bill

Submission: Electoral (Lowering Voting Age for Local Elections and Polls) Legislation Bill

Response to Privacy Commission’s 2023 Biometrics Discussion Paper

The Founding and Early History of the New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties

Submission: Corrections Amendment Bill

Submission: Content Regulation review

Meeting dates for 2024

Submissions

Articles

Blog Posts

News

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