Defending Our Rights: Protect Aotearoa

Opposing harmful bills is not just a political act — it's a civic duty. We must protect our rights, uphold our communities, and ensure that lawmaking reflects the values of all who call Aotearoa home.

These proposals threaten our social fabric, weaken environmental protections, and roll back hard-won progress toward justice and equity. When legislation serves privilege over people, or profit over principle, we must speak up.

People come to Aotearoa seeking safety, fairness, freedom, and a clean, peaceful way of life. But these values are not self-sustaining — they must be defended. Every bad law passed in silence brings us closer to the very corruption and instability others flee from.

If we don’t resist corrosive modernisation, we erode what makes this place special: a society built on trust, balance, community, and care. That means not just opposing the bills — but holding those responsible to account.

Explore the → APIAPE platform and see who’s behind the harm

#ProtectAotearoa #DefendOurRights #FairLegislation #StopHarmfulLaws #HonourTheTreaty #TransparentGovernance #SocialJustice #EnvironmentalProtection #EquityForAll #StrongerTogether #SayNoToDecay #HoldThemToAccount



Legislation ≠ Law — Let’s Be Honest

We must speak with precision, not propaganda. Legislation is not law — though media and officials routinely call it that to fool the public. It’s not an accident. It’s a strategy. History proves it: fooling lasts longer than forcing. That’s why countries like New Zealand, Australia, and Canada remain colonial in structure — while many African nations, for all their visible struggles, have legally cut ties. The “developed” colonies hide their chains in clean language and quiet compliance.

Legislation is not justice. It is not universal. It is not truth. It is written by people in power, for purposes they define — limited by their language, their education, their political intent, and the moment in time. It can be exported, smuggled into trade agreements, passed under urgency, or copied from other regimes. It can even be drafted offshore. And once passed, it is called “law” — as if that word makes it sacred. But it doesn't. Many of the world’s greatest evils were once legal. Slavery was legal. Apartheid was legal. Genocide has been legalised in parts of the world — on paper, in codes, under seal.

So let’s stop pretending that legislation deserves automatic respect. It deserves scrutiny. It can be corrupted. It often is. And when officials misuse the word "law" to describe their latest regulation, they are not informing the public — they are expanding their power through deception. If we let that continue, we become complicit in our own quiet subjugation.

Call things what they are. Legislation is not law. Consent is not silence. And compliance is not citizenship.

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Coming Up: New Threats in Draft

Bad bills don’t rest. And neither will we. The next round is already brewing — be ready to challenge, reject, and rewrite the future.


Bills Open for Public Submission – Core Issues

Public Works Amendment Bill – Efficiency at the Cost of Rights

This bill expands compulsory acquisition powers while narrowing objection rights, weakening judicial oversight, and diluting protections for Māori land. Administrative speed and infrastructure delivery are prioritised over consent, proportionality, and Te Tiriti obligations.

“Public works must not become a vehicle for dispossession.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 27 January 2026 – 11:59 pm

Emergency Management Bill (No 2) – Preparedness or Permanent Powers?

The bill entrenches extraordinary executive powers with insufficient sunset clauses. Emergency governance risks becoming normalised beyond genuine crises.

“Emergency powers should expire — not settle in.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 03 February 2026 – 11:59 pm

Budget Policy Statement 2026 – Discipline or Austerity?

The statement prioritises fiscal restraint over social investment and prevention. Long-term wellbeing and equity outcomes are subordinated to narrow balance-sheet targets.

“Budgets reveal values more than speeches do.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 04 February 2026 – 11:59 pm

Commerce (Promoting Competition and Other Matters) Amendment Bill – Competition in Name Only?

Despite strong rhetoric, the bill fails to meaningfully address market concentration and pricing power. Structural dominance remains largely untouched.

“True competition challenges power, not just behaviour.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 04 February 2026 – 11:59 pm

Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill – Reform or Reset Without Consent?

These bills centralise planning authority while diluting local democracy and iwi partnership. Environmental protection is reframed as a negotiable balance rather than a duty.

“Nature does not negotiate with economic targets.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 13 February 2026 – 11:59 pm

Arms Bill – Public Safety or Expanding Criminalisation?

The bill expands offences and enforcement powers without addressing root causes of violence. Law-abiding owners face increased compliance with limited evidence of safety gains.

“Control without context breeds resentment, not safety.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 16 February 2026 – 11:59 pm

Crimes Amendment Bill – Protection or Overreach?

This bill broadens criminal liability using vague thresholds. It risks unintended criminalisation and inconsistent enforcement.

“Criminal law should be precise, restrained, and rare.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 16 February 2026 – 11:59 pm

Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill – Safety Delayed Again?

Ongoing extensions prioritise cost avoidance over public safety. Risk is deferred rather than reduced, particularly in lower-income areas.

“Delay is a policy choice with consequences.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 16 February 2026 – 11:59 pm

Infrastructure Funding and Financing Amendment Bill – Innovation or Hidden Debt?

The bill expands off-balance-sheet financing mechanisms with limited transparency. Long-term risk is shifted onto communities without democratic oversight.

“Who pays later matters as much as who builds now.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 20 February 2026 – 11:59 pm

Inquiry into the 2025 Local Elections – Learning or Narrative Control?

The inquiry risks framing democratic disengagement as a technical issue rather than a trust failure. Structural causes may be sidelined.

“Democracy fails when people stop believing it hears them.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 27 February 2026 – 11:59 pm

Read about our Democratic Crisis

My Previous Submissions:


Agreement to Establish the Pacific Resilience Facility – Solidarity or Financialisation?

While framed as climate resilience, the agreement lacks enforceable community safeguards. It risks debt-driven responses that undermine Pacific sovereignty and indigenous leadership.

“Resilience must be built with communities, not on them.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 21 January 2026 – 11:59 pm


Telecommunications Amendment Bill – Connectivity or Control?

This bill expands regulatory and ministerial power over telecommunications infrastructure with insufficient privacy, proportionality, and civil liberties safeguards. It risks normalising surveillance-capable systems through infrastructure law rather than democratic mandate.

“Infrastructure power is political power.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 14 January 2026 – 11:59 pm


Telecommunications and Other Matters Amendment Bill – Technical Fixes, Hidden Reach?

Framed as technical alignment, this omnibus bill bundles unrelated provisions in ways that reduce parliamentary and public scrutiny. Executive enforcement powers are expanded through legal and technical complexity rather than transparent policy debate.

“Complexity is often where accountability disappears.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 14 January 2026 – 11:59 pm


Meteorological Services (Acquisition and Policies) Legislation Amendment Bill – Public Science for Sale?

This bill risks commercial and ministerial capture of publicly funded weather and climate data. Public safety, scientific openness, and long-term resilience are subordinated to pricing discretion and executive control.

“Weather data is public safety infrastructure.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 14 January 2026 – 11:59 pm


Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill – Streamlining or Standardising Children?

The language of system reform masks a shift toward centralisation, compliance, and market-style governance. Local decision-making, professional judgment, and relational education are displaced by metrics, contracts, and executive control, weakening genuine Te Tiriti partnership.

“Education is a relationship, not a production line.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 14 January 2026 – 11:59 pm


Racing Industry (Closure of Greyhound Racing Industry) Amendment Bill – Ethics Without Transition?

Although addressing animal welfare, the bill lacks binding, funded guarantees for the long-term care of displaced animals and affected workers. It relies on administrative assurances rather than enforceable protections.

“Ending harm requires responsibility, not abandonment.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 09 January 2026 – 11:59 pm


Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill – User Pays or Public Burden?

Framed as funding reform, this bill shifts transport costs onto users while failing to ring-fence revenue for equitable public transport outcomes. It risks regressive impacts on low-income and rural communities and entrenches road-user charging without transparent accountability.

“Revenue mechanisms shape behaviour — and inequality.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 08 January 2026 – 11:59 pm


Building and Construction Sector (Strengthening Occupational Licensing Regimes) Amendment Bill – Safety or Gatekeeping?

While presented as consumer protection, this bill raises barriers to entry, centralises control, and favours large operators over small, Māori, and regional tradespeople. It risks credential inflation without addressing systemic construction failures.

“Licensing should protect skill — not entrench power.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 08 January 2026 – 11:59 pm


Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Bill – Trust or Conflict of Interest?

This bill expands self-certification without adequate independent oversight, creating conflicts of interest and weakening consumer protection. Liability risks are shifted onto homeowners rather than addressed through robust inspection regimes.

“Self-certification without scrutiny is deregulation by stealth.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 08 January 2026 – 11:59 pm


Life Jackets for Children and Young Persons Bill – Safety or Overreach?

Presented as a “simple safety measure,” this bill in fact duplicates existing Maritime Rules, removes parental and skipper discretion, and imposes a one-size-fits-all national mandate on families already practising safe behaviour. It replaces local authority, judgement, and Te Tiriti-based decision-making with centralised regulation that adds no proven safety benefit.

“Good safety law supports families and communities — it does not replace them.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 11 December 2025 – 11:59 pm

Why this Bill is unnecessary and overrides family and community authority | Read the full submission


Financial Markets Conduct Amendment Bill – Transparency or Concealment?

Presented as a “simplification” of climate reporting, Amendment Paper No. 446 in fact legalises unsubstantiated climate statements, removes independent verification, and exempts most major companies from disclosure entirely. These changes weaken financial-market integrity and enable high-pollution and extraction industries to operate without scrutiny.

“A disclosure system that permits concealment is not transparency — it is corruption by design.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 4 December 2025 – 11:59 pm

Why this Amendment enables concealment and weakens accountability | About Scott Simpson | Read the full submission


Redress System for Abuse in Care Bill – Redress or Restriction?

Presented as a framework for justice, this Bill in fact creates exclusions that deny redress to many survivors, protects the Crown through legally hollow apologies, and contradicts the Royal Commission’s survivor-centred recommendations. Those most harmed by State care — especially Māori and care-experienced survivors who later offended due to trauma — face new barriers instead of recognition.

“Redress cannot heal when it begins by excluding the very people the State harmed.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 26 November 2025 – 11:59 pm

Why this Bill restricts redress and protects the Crown | About Erica Stanford | Read the full submission


Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill – Fast-track or Fast-bypass?

Marketed as a fix for supermarket prices, this Bill in fact weakens environmental safeguards, reduces public and Māori participation, and expands ministerial influence over project approvals. It speeds up development by slowing down scrutiny — and hides systemic restructuring behind a popular issue.

“Fast-track should never mean bypassing the safeguards that protect people and place.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 17 November 2025 – 2:00 pm

Why this Bill expands power and weakens safeguards | About Chris Bishop | Read the full submission


Local Government (Auckland Council) (Transport Governance) Amendment Bill – Democracy or Direction from Wellington?

Presented as “greater accountability”, this Bill in fact recentralises Auckland’s transport under ministerial control, gives ministers voting power over local plans, and allows vetoes on Auckland’s own road and funding decisions. It replaces one unaccountable body with another — and calls it reform. While it promises efficiency, it mainly entrenches political control and silences local democracy.

“Localism without power is illusion.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 09 November 2025 – 11:59 pm

Why this Bill centralises power and weakens Auckland’s voice | About Chris Bishop | Read the full submission


Inquiry into Performance Reporting and Public Accountability – Accountability or Illusion?

Framed as a “review of reporting frameworks”, this inquiry exposes how New Zealand’s performance system has become fragmented, opaque, and short-term. Instead of connecting public money to public value, it produces thousands of pages that few can interpret. True reform requires a Performance and Accountability Act, independent outcome verification, and Treaty-centred reporting that makes government results visible and fair.

“Accountability without clarity is illusion.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 29 October 2025 – 11:59 pm

Why reform is essential to restore trust | Read the full submission


Animal Welfare (Regulations for Management of Pigs) Amendment Bill – Validation or Violation?

Presented as a “transition for farmers”, this Bill quietly legalises practices a court already ruled unlawful, delays welfare reform until 2035, and removes independent checks from animal-welfare law. It uses legal wording to hide a political act — rewriting history instead of fixing cruelty. While it claims to “support welfare”, it mainly protects industry interests and weakens the rule of law.

“You cannot make justice by declaring illegality valid.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 23 October 2025 – 5:00 pm

Why this Bill rewrites the law and delays change | About Andrew Hoggard | Read the full submission


Taxation (Annual Rates for 2025–26, Compliance Simplification, and Remedial Measures) Bill – Simplification or Favouritism?

Sold as “simplification”, this Bill quietly hands more control to Inland Revenue, lets Ministers share taxpayer data across agencies, and changes tax rules after the fact. It’s full of technical wording that hides big shifts in power — away from Parliament and toward unelected officials. While the name suggests help for taxpayers, most of the real benefits go to large companies and government departments, not ordinary New Zealanders.

“Simplification must not become a cover for privilege.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 23 October 2025 – 11:59 pm

Why this Bill expands control and weakens privacy | About Simon Watts | Read the full submission


Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill – Hiding Costs, Hurting Small Businesses

Framed as “consumer protection”, this Bill bans visible surcharges — forcing all consumers to pay blended prices that hide real costs and disadvantage small merchants. It rests on contested data, grants sweeping delegated powers, and risks eroding transparency, fairness, and competition in New Zealand’s payment system. What appears as fairness is, in reality, a quiet shift from visibility to concealment — from open pricing to hidden burden.

“When truth in price disappears, fairness soon follows.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 12 October 2025, 11:59pm

Why this Bill hides costs and harms fairness | About Scott Simpson | Read the full submission


Summary Offences (Demonstrations Near Residential Premises) Amendment Bill – Criminalising Dissent Under the Mask of Privacy

This Bill is presented as a balance between privacy and protest, but it creates a new criminal offence for “unreasonable disruption” — a vague, subjective test that can be used to silence peaceful protest. It duplicates existing offences, introduces imprisonment for lawful assembly, and was drafted with no public or Māori consultation. What is framed as protection of privacy is, in truth, a quiet erosion of the right to dissent.

“When expression is filtered through comfort, democracy forgets its pulse.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 06 October 2025, 2:00 pm

Why this Bill threatens the right to protest | About Paul Goldsmith | Read the full submission


Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill – Power Concentration Under the Guise of Efficiency

This Bill is presented as an “administrative clarification” for Defence workforce management, but in reality it centralises power in one Minister, weakens parliamentary oversight, and allows armed forces to replace civilian staff during lawful strike action. It erodes labour rights, blurs the boundary between military and civilian authority, and sets a dangerous precedent for executive overreach — all while omitting Te Tiriti and equity impact analysis. What is framed as flexibility is in fact a shift toward secrecy and militarisation of civilian functions.

“Democracy falters when power hides behind uniforms and silence.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 05 October 2025, 11:59 pm

Why this Bill erodes democracy and rights | About Judith Collins | Read the full submission


Regulatory Systems (Transport) Amendment Bill – Omnibus Overreach Disguised as Tidying

This Bill claims to deliver small “regulatory fixes,” but in fact it bundles changes across land transport, maritime, and aviation law, masks substantive reforms as minor edits, expands closure and investigatory powers without safeguards, and shifts compliance to electronic-only in ways that risk exclusion. Oversight and consultation are weak, Treaty and equity impacts are ignored, and the result is erosion of clarity, accountability, and public trust.

“A tidy-up that hides real change isn’t tidy — it’s erosion.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 02 October 2025, 11:59pm

Why this Bill erodes transparency and accountability | About James Meager | Read the full submission


Carter Trust Amendment Bill – Rewriting a Will by Statute

This Private Bill overrides Charles Rooking Carter’s will to force a six-month wind-up, earmarks $50,000 to a single parish, hands the balance to the Carter Society without purpose lock-ups, and limits Public Trust’s liability to dishonesty/gross negligence while deducting undefined “reasonable expenses.” Oversight is after the fact, not before; the normal cy-près court pathway is bypassed; and ministerial checks on the Society’s rule changes are stripped away. This is not stewardship — it is legislative overreach that erodes donor intent, transparency, and public confidence in charitable bequests.

“When Parliament rewrites a will without independent guardrails, charity is the first casualty — and trust is the next.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 02 October 2025, 11:59pm

Why this Bill erodes donor intent and accountability | About Mike Butterick | Read the full submission


Antisocial Road Use Legislation Amendment Bill – Punishment Disguised as Safety

This Bill claims to deter dangerous behaviour, but instead it embeds mandatory vehicle forfeiture and destruction, expands pre-conviction seizure powers, compels registered owners to disclose identifying information under threat of forfeiture, and gives Police wide closure powers that can penalise residents and bystanders. What looks like safety reform is actually overreach that erodes rights, chills assembly, and disproportionately harms Māori, Pasifika, youth, and low-income communities.

“A law that punishes beyond its target ceases to protect — it erodes trust.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 30 September 2025, 1.00pm

Why this Bill erodes rights and fairness | About Chris Bishop | Read the full submission


Clean Vehicle Standard Amendment Bill (No 2) – Climate Loopholes Disguised as Flexibility

The Clean Vehicle Standard was meant to drive down emissions. This Bill instead extends carbon credit lifespans, removes barriers between new and used import credits, lets polluters borrow against the future, grants ministerial power to weaken standards by regulation, and even manipulates credits so one credit can equal two or half depending on transfer. What looks like technical adjustments is actually a rollback that delays action, hides emissions, and locks New Zealand into a dirtier transport future.

“A true standard drives real change. A loophole only changes the numbers.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 26 September 2025, 11:59 pm

Why this Bill erodes climate action | About Chris Bishop | Read the full submission


Review of Standing Orders 2026 – Constitution Eroded by Procedure

Presented as efficiency and modernisation, this review entrenches Executive dominance, weakens select committee scrutiny, sidelines Te Tiriti o Waitangi, enables abuse of urgency, and silences public voice. What appears to be procedural housekeeping is in fact constitutional erosion — reshaping the very rules that decide whether Parliament serves the people or the Government of the day.

“Standing Orders are the constitution at work. When they privilege speed over scrutiny, the public pays the price.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 25 September 2025

Why this review erodes scrutiny and voice | About Parliamentary Practice in New Zealand | Read our full submission


Kororipo Pā Vesting Bill – Return in Form, Erosion in Mechanism

Returning Kororipo Pā to Ngāti Rēhia as kaitiaki is right in principle. But this Bill achieves it by ousting court review, making an amendable deed effectively supreme over Parliament, disapplying conservation and planning safeguards, preserving Crown-era concessions and bylaws, and even allowing transfer of the fee simple away from Ngāti Rēhia. What looks like a simple return risks fragmenting Ngāpuhi’s settlement and constraining hapū authority from day one.

“A true return empowers guardianship. A legal shortcut only changes the lock.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 25 September 2025, 11:59 pm

Why this Bill erodes safeguards | About Paul Goldsmith | Read the full submission


Regulatory Systems (Internal Affairs) Amendment Bill – Erosion Disguised as Housekeeping

Framed as a “regulatory tidy-up,” this omnibus bill bundles sweeping changes across births, deaths, marriages, charities, gambling, censorship, identity, fire levies, inquiries, and archives. It extends executive discretion, weakens privacy, enables the sale or amendment of public records, and breaches Te Tiriti protections. What looks like administrative efficiency is in fact the quiet dismantling of safeguards that protect rights, taonga, and public trust.

“Archives are the spine of a free society – when governments can sell, amend, or conceal them, truth itself is put up for auction.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 24 September 2025, 11:59 pm

Why this bill erodes trust and taonga | About Brooke van Velden | Read our full submission


Constitution Amendment Bill – Altering the Rules of the Game

Framed as “tidy-up” continuity, this bill extends ministerial and under-secretarial power beyond parliamentary mandate, relies on weak caretaker conventions, and incentivises election delays. It makes foundational constitutional changes without full public mandate, bypassing the robust democratic process required for reform. The result: concentrated power, loopholes for unelected office-holders, and weakened public trust.

“A constitution is the people’s contract – it must not be rewritten in the backroom.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 15 September 2025, 1:00 pm

Why this bill erodes accountability | About Paul Goldsmith | Read our full submission


Electoral Amendment Bill – Democracy Narrowed by Design

Marketed as “efficiency,” the bill instead disenfranchises all sentenced prisoners, authorises roll changes without consent, validates irregularities by executive order, and politicises polling operations. It suppresses participation — especially Māori — and risks skewing outcomes against fair representation.

“Election law should protect the vote, not those in power.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 11 September 2025

Why this bill erodes democratic rights | About Paul Goldsmith | Read our full submission


Patents Amendment Bill – Corporate Lock on Innovation

Marketed as “technical harmonisation,” the bill instead rewrites rules retrospectively and embeds higher hurdles that favour large patent holders. It risks stifling small inventors, universities, and community innovators while narrowing public access to knowledge and essential technologies.

“Patents must serve fairness and innovation — not hindsight.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 4 September 2025

Why this bill undermines fairness and innovation | About Scott Simpson | Read our full submission


Education and Training (Early Childhood Education Reform) Amendment Bill – Market Before Children

Marketed as improving “effectiveness” and “reducing burden,” the bill instead centralises power in a Director of Regulation and reframes early childhood education as labour-market support. It expands intrusive data powers, permits delegation of core regulatory functions to private actors, and favours large commercial providers while eroding community-led, kaupapa Māori, Pasifika, and rural services.

“Education must serve children and communities — not markets.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 1 September 2025

Why this bill undermines child-centred education | About David Seymour | Read our full submission


Public Service Amendment Bill – Centralised Control Disguised as Reform

Marketed as improving “performance,” the bill recentres power in the Public Service Commissioner and Prime Minister’s Department. It politicises hiring, weakens staff protections, embeds secrecy powers, and expands immunities — shifting the public service away from neutrality and into ministerial alignment.

“A politicised public service serves politics, not the public.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 31 August 2025

Why this bill erodes neutrality and accountability | About Judith Collins | Read my full submission


Legislation Amendment Bill – Omnibus Power Grab

Bundles multiple law changes into a single bill, bypassing proper scrutiny of each measure. It centralises legislative control in the Attorney-General, expands exemptions from oversight, absolves the PCO of liability, and introduces fees and levies for law-making functions. Behind the guise of “tidying up” statutes, it enables quiet erosion of rights and parliamentary accountability.

“When many doors are opened at once, watch what slips through.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 28 August 2025

Why this bill erodes parliamentary safeguards | About Judith Collins | Read my full submission


Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill – Central Government Takeover of Councils

This bill hands Ministers and officials direct control over council rules and reporting, narrows the purpose of local government to “core services” and economic growth, and allows developers to shift infrastructure costs onto ratepayers. It erodes transparency, overrides local priorities, and converts councils into centrally directed delivery arms.

“Local government is not a branch office of central power — it is the community’s voice.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 27 August 2025

Why this bill takes over councils | About Simon Watts | Read my full submission


Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Supervisor, Levy, and Other Matters) Amendment Bill – Centralising Control, Expanding Intrusion

This bill replaces multi‑agency oversight with a single supervisor under the Prime Minister’s authority, enables sweeping rule‑by‑notice changes, authorises entry into dwellinghouses, and introduces an industry levy steered by ministerial strategy. It weakens parliamentary control and civil safeguards.

“Efficiency without safeguards is a shortcut to abuse.” – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 21 August 2025

Why this bill centralises and intrudes | About Nicole McKee | Read my full submission


Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill – Centralising Control, Weakening Partnership

This bill rewires our health system — removing sector principles, diluting Te Tiriti mechanisms, embedding private providers, and centralising ministerial control. It weakens independent oversight and shifts focus from equity and partnership to political direction and target-chasing.

"Public health must be guided by equity, transparency, and genuine partnership — not centralised control and target-chasing." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 18 August 2025

Why this bill threatens public health | About Simeon Brown | Read my submission

#ProtectPublicHealth #DefendTeTiriti #HealthEquityNow #StopHealthErosion


Online Casino Gambling Bill – Normalising Harmful Gambling

This bill legitimises and expands one of the most harmful forms of gambling by creating a licensing regime for online casinos, permitting advertising, and allowing offshore operators into New Zealand’s market. It risks increasing addiction, debt, and social harm while making the government financially dependent on gambling revenue.

"Access to health and wellbeing is not served by legitimising harmful gambling products." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 17 August 2025

Why this bill threatens public health | About Brooke van Velden | Read my submission

#StopGamblingHarm #ProtectCommunities #GamblingReformNZ #PublicHealthFirst


Legal Services (Distribution of Special Fund) Amendment Bill – Diluting Justice Access

This bill weakens the Special Fund’s purpose by expanding ministerial discretion and allowing funds to be spent on vague “support” activities instead of guaranteed front-line community law services. It risks diversion of money away from those most in need, with no added transparency or Te Tiriti safeguards.

"Access to justice is not served by vague funding powers." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 14 August 2025

Why this bill threatens community legal services | About Paul Goldsmith | Read my submission

#ProtectLegalAid #DefendCommunityLaw #JusticeForAll #StopFundDiversion


Employment Relations Amendment Bill – Competitiveness at the Cost of Fairness

This bill dismantles core employment protections, removes grievance rights for higher-income earners, expands contractor loopholes, and weakens procedural fairness. It shifts New Zealand toward a “fire-at-will” culture that undermines job security for all.

"Employment law exists to prevent arbitrary power — not enable it." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 13 August 2025

Why this bill erodes worker rights | About Brooke van Velden | Read my submission

#ProtectWorkerRights #FairnessNotFireAtWill #StopMisclassification #DefendDueProcess


Online Harm Inquiry – Safety Framed, Freedom Endangered

This inquiry repackages digital censorship, state-corporate alliance, and vague threat narratives as “protection for youth.” It risks entrenching surveillance culture, silencing dissent, and outsourcing public policy to unaccountable tech actors.

"If the power to define harm isn’t shared — it will always be abused." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 30 July 2025

Why this inquiry threatens digital freedom | Read my submission

#FreedomNotFilters #ProtectSpeech #StopDigitalCensorship #YouthDeserveTruth


Immigration System Integrity Bill – Control Expanded, Rights Eroded

This bill disguises power centralisation, migrant surveillance, and fiscal extraction as “sustainability.” It turns immigration into a system of monitoring, monetisation, and ministerial override — not fairness or integrity.

"When the law sees you as a cost — you’re no longer protected by it." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 28 July 2025

Why this bill erodes rights and due process | About Erica Stanford | Read my submission

#NoSurveillanceState #RightsNotTags #StopThePowerGrab #TreatyAppliesToAll


Overseas Investment Amendment Bill – Sovereignty Sold, Scrutiny Silenced

This bill fast-tracks foreign acquisitions, merges protective tests, and hands unchecked power to Cabinet — all while ignoring Te Tiriti and public interest. It’s not oversight — it’s surrender.

"You don’t protect national interest by making it easier to sell the nation." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 23 July 2025

Why this bill endangers public assets | About David Seymour | Read my submission

#ProtectOurAssets #NoFastTrackSales #TreatyNotTrade #SeymourSellsUsOut


Game Animal Council Amendment Bill – Conservation Compromised

This bill rewrites the National Parks Act to protect invasive species, centralises decision-making in a single Minister, and opens our most sensitive public lands to political and recreational manipulation. It’s not conservation — it’s concession.

"You don’t preserve the wild by protecting the invaders." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 24 July 2025

Why this bill threatens biodiversity and law | About James Meager | Read my submission

#ProtectTheParks #NoTrophyZones #NatureNotNegotiable #GameOverMeager


Ports and Maritime Inquiry – Control Framed as Coordination

This inquiry positions ports as productivity assets while ignoring Treaty rights, community voice, and environmental integrity. It opens the door to privatisation, centralised control, and worker displacement — under the guise of “sector performance.”

"You don’t protect a nation by selling off its gateways." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 13 July 2025

Why this inquiry threatens public ownership | Read my submission

#PortsForPeople #ProtectPublicAssets #TreatyWaters #StopPortPrivatisation


Climate Change Response Bill – Forests Restricted, Pollution Protected

This bill caps climate-positive land use while shielding high-emissions agriculture. It imposes ballots, bureaucratic filters, and mapping hurdles — turning carbon sequestration into a privilege, not a right.

"You don’t fight climate change by handcuffing carbon sinks." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 07 July 2025

Why this bill undermines climate justice | About Simon Watts | Read my submission

#LetForestsGrow #StopLandControl #ClimateTruth #TreatyLandRights


Public Finance Amendment Bill – Nicola Willis’s Model: Wellbeing Out, Power In

This bill removes wellbeing obligations from fiscal policy, expands secrecy around risks, and centralises control over public funds — turning the Budget into a tool of numbers without people.

"A healthy balance sheet must include the health of its people." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 07 July 2025

Why this bill endangers fiscal justice | About Nicola Willis | Read my submission

#ProtectWellbeing #FiscalTransparency #TreatyMatters #StopMinisterialOverreach


Financial Markets Amendment Bill – Criminalising Ethical Banking

This bill forces financial institutions to serve all customers regardless of ESG or climate concerns — or face jail time. It punishes banks for refusing harmful industries and undermines responsible lending.

"You can’t legislate ethics out of finance without opening the door to corruption." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 04 July 2025

Why this bill enables harmful industries | Read my submission

#StopForcedFinance #EthicalBankingMatters #ClimateIntegrity #RejectBadBills


Valuers Bill – Restructuring Behind Closed Doors

Amendment 286 quietly rewrites the rules of land valuation — expanding board control, removing experience thresholds, and risking the politicisation of a crucial public-interest profession.

"A fair valuation system needs independence — not silent rewrites that serve hidden agendas." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 27 June 2025

Why this bill undermines valuation integrity | About the Minister | Read my submission

#DefendProfessionalIntegrity #ValuationMatters #StopRegulatoryOverreach #TreatyImpactsIgnored


Judicature (Timeliness) Legislation Amendment Bill – Efficiency Over Justice

Restricts access to civil claims, weakens appeal rights, and permits the quiet closure of coroners’ inquiries — all in the name of “timeliness.”

"Justice must be timely — but even more, it must be true, transparent, and accessible." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 25 June 2025

Why this bill erodes public justice | About the Minister | Read my submission

#AccessToJustice #StopSilentShutdowns #ProtectAppealRights #JusticeNotControl


Building and Construction (Small Stand-alone Dwellings) Amendment Bill – Deregulation Disguised as Housing Help

Removes building consent for small dwellings without defining the rules — opening the door to unsafe builds, council bypass, and silent regulatory creep.

"Consent can't be removed without clarity. Transparency is not optional — especially in law." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 23 June 2025

Why this bill removes vital safeguards | About the Minister | Read my submission

#ProtectConsent #StopQuietDeregulation #BuildResponsibly #ConsentMatters


Financial Markets Conduct Amendment Bill – Power Without Public Safeguards

Expands regulator powers while stripping away the checks that protect people’s rights, transparency, and Treaty-based accountability.

"Market control without public oversight is not reform — it's erosion." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 23 June 2025

Why this bill expands unchecked power | About the Minister | Read my submission

#StopUnaccountablePower #ProtectPublicOversight #TreatyMatters #NoToMarketCapture


Financial Service Providers Bill – Corporate Systems Prioritised

Reshapes regulation to favour financial institutions — reducing transparency and weakening fair dispute processes.

"Fairness is not a market preference — it's a public right." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 23 June 2025

Why this bill favours corporations | About the Minister | Read my submission

#DefendPublicAccess #StopCorporateCapture #FairFinanceNow #NoToOpaqueSystems


Small Dwellings Bill – Consent Removed, Conditions Hidden

Lets buildings go up without consent — but hides the rules. Risks safety, transparency, and future misuse.

"Consent can't be removed without clarity. Transparency is not optional — especially in law." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 23 June 2025

Why this bill is dangerous | About the Minister | Read my submission

#ProtectConsent #StopQuietDeregulation #BuildResponsibly #NoBlankCheques #WatchThePattern


Credit Contracts Bill – Borrower Rights Gutted

Removes borrower protections. Replaces oversight with deregulated market tools. Prioritises lenders over people.

"Finance should serve people — not exploit them." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 23 June 2025

Why this bill is harmful | About the Minister | Read my submission

#DefendBorrowerRights #ProtectConsumers #NoToFinancialErosion #StopMarketCapture


Regulatory Standards Bill – Law by Minister, Not by Parliament

Gives Ministers power to rewrite rules behind closed doors. Overrides Parliament. Blocks courts. Ignores Te Tiriti. A full legal bypass dressed as “efficiency.”

"This isn’t a reform — it’s a regime. It lets Ministers write their own laws, answer to no one, and call it fair." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 23 June 2025

Why this bill is harmful | About the Minister | Read my submission

#StopDeregulation #NoToMinisterRule #ProtectPublicRights #TreatyMatters #DefendDemocracy #NoRubberStampLaws #EndExecutiveOverreach


Vocational Education Bill – Corporate Control in Disguise

Disbands Te Pūkenga, replaces Treaty partnership with industry boards. Shifts education from public good to private gain.

"This bill dismantles the heart of vocational learning." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 18 June 2025

Why this bill is harmful | About the Minister | Read my submission

#DefendVocationalEducation #TreatyPartnership #ProtectLearners #StopTheErosion


Public Works Bill – Land Grabs Disguised as Urgency

Redefines “critical infrastructure” to force land acquisitions. Caps compensation. Ignores Treaty protections. Silences Māori and local voices.

"This isn’t about infrastructure — it’s about eliminating resistance." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 13 June 2025

Why this bill is harmful | About the Minister | Read my submission

#StopLandGrabs #ProtectCommunityVoice #RespectTeTiriti #NoToMinisterialOverreach


Education and Training Bill (No 2) – Control Over Care

Forces schools to chase numbers, not care. Silences teachers. Ignores Māori unless it helps the state.

"A polite plan to turn schools into factories." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 12 June 2025

Why this bill is harmful | About the Minister | Read my submission

#StopEducationErosion #ProtectStudents #DefendFreedom #TreatyMatters


UAE CEPA Bill – Deals in the Dark

Lets UAE investors buy big NZ assets with no checks, no Treaty clause, no public say.

"This isn't trade — it's blind trust sold cheap." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 23 May 2025

Why this bill is harmful | About the Minister | Read my submission

#StopInvestorPrivilege #ProtectNZAssets #TransparencyNow #TreatyFirst


Juries (Age of Excusal) Bill – Dignity Denied

Pushes elders to serve past 65. Ignores age, health, and care duties.

"Let seniors rest — they’ve done their part." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 22 May 2025

Why this bill is harmful | About the Minister | Read my submission

#RespectOurElders #ProtectRetirementRights #DignityMatters


Sale and Supply of Alcohol Bill – Profit Over Pause

Lifts alcohol bans on sacred days. Undermines reflection and respect.

"Not every day is for drinking." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 22 May 2025

Why this bill is harmful | About the Minister | Read my submission

#KeepAnzacSacred #RespectTheDays #ProfitCanWait


Anzac Day Amendment Bill – History Rewritten

Expands Anzac Day to future wars. Turns memory into marketing.

"Anzac Day must honour real sacrifice — not slogans." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 22 May 2025

Why this bill is harmful | About the Minister | Read my submission

#KeepAnzacTrue #NoToFutureWars #TruthMatters


Employment Relations Bill – The Quiet Firing Bill

Legalises pressure-exits. Hides evidence. Gags workers.

"When workers are silenced, justice is lost." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 22 May 2025

Why this bill is harmful | About the Minister | Read my submission

#StopQuietFiring #FairWorkMatters #SpeakUp


Medicines Amendment Bill – Health for Sale

Fast-tracks foreign drugs. Blocks scrutiny. Serves pharma, not people.

"Our health is not for sale." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 19 May 2025

Why this bill is harmful | About the Minister | Read my submission

#StopMedicinesAmendment #PublicHealthFirst #SafeMedsNZ


Plain Language Repeal Bill – Silencing by Confusion

Ends the rule that government must speak clearly. Hurts access, hides truth, blocks understanding.

"No clarity, no trust. This repeal erases public voice." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 14 May 2025

Why this bill is harmful | About the Minister | Read my submission

#PlainLanguageNow #ClarityIsPower #StopTheRepeal #FairCommunicationNZ


Land Transport (Time of Use Charging) Bill – The Toll Trap

Charges drivers without fixing transport. Tracks movement. Hits workers and small business hardest.

"This isn’t smarter travel — it’s silent surveillance for profit." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 27 April 2025

Why this bill is harmful | About the Minister | Read my submission

#TollTrap #FairTransportNZ #PrivacyMattersNZ #StopTheToll


4-Year Term BillMore Power, Less Accountability

Lets leaders extend their rule. Cuts voter voice. Weakens democracy.

"This isn’t stability — it’s a blank cheque for power." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 17 April 2025

#NoTo4YearTerm #KeepThemAccountable #DemocracyMatters #StopThePowerGrab


Referendums Framework BillVote Rigging, Legalised

Gives government full control over referendums. Blocks fair questions. Silences citizens.

"A law that fakes fairness to control outcomes." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 17 April 2025

#DefendDemocracy #NoToFPP #LetThePeopleDecide #StopPowerGrabs


Auckland Future Fund BillPrivatisation Pipeline

Enables asset sell-offs with weak oversight and no Treaty safeguards. Public wealth at risk.

"No checks. No voice. No future." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 8 April 2025

#NoAssetSellOff #ProtectOurFuture #TeTiriti #TransparencyNow


Right to Repair BillToo Much, Too Fast

Good idea, bad law. Overcomplicates repairs, raises costs, and hurts supply without protecting consumers well.

"Balance matters — fairness needs fixing too." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 3 April 2025

#RightToRepair #FairLegislation #ConsumerRights #BusinessImpact


Courts Amendment BillSecrets and Shortcuts

Reduces public access, hides jury processes, and expands unchecked powers. Justice without sunlight.

"Justice must be seen to be trusted." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 3 April 2025

#StopJusticeErosion #CourtTransparency #FairTrialRights #NoSecretCourts


Tribunals Amendment BillPower Without Balance

Expands government control, weakens legal safeguards, and risks privacy. A quiet takeover of justice.

"Streamlining shouldn't steamroll our rights." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 3 April 2025

#GovernmentOverreach #ProtectOurRights #JusticeReform #RuleOfLaw


Occupational Regulation BillPower Without Safeguards

Gives regulators more power with less oversight. Weakens industry standards, raises fines, and cuts accountability.

"It’s not reform — it’s unchecked control over every profession." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 1 April 2025

#StopPowerGrabs #ProtectConsumers #FairRegulation #PublicTrust


AML/CFT Amendment BillOverreach Disguised as Safety

Burden on small business, unclear penalties, weak privacy rules. No transition plan. High risk, low fairness.

"Fighting crime shouldn't crush trust or business." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 28 March 2025

#AMLReform #ProtectSMEs #PrivacyMatters #StopRedTape


Māori Purposes BillControl, Not Partnership

Centralises control over Māori governance. Legalises shady appointments. Shuts out rural voices.

"This bill speaks of support — but acts as suppression." – Ukes Baha

Submission deadline: 27 March 2025

#ProtectMāoriVoices #TeTiriti #StopOverreach #SelfDetermination


Customs Amendment BillHidden Taxes, Heavy Hands

Raises levies, increases bureaucracy, and risks double-taxing. Bad for small business, worse for fairness.

"Another tax, dressed as reform — with no way out." – Ukes Baha

Submission date: 5 March 2025

#StopRedTape #FairTrade #ProtectSmallBusiness #NoToDoubleTax


Water Services BillCentralised Control, Local Silence

Takes water from local hands. Ignores Māori guardianship. Burdens communities with no real say.

"Water belongs to people, not power." – Ukes Baha

Submission date: 19 February 2025

#StopWaterCentralisation #MāoriStewardship #ProtectLocalVoices #TreatyOfWaitangi


BBNJ Treaty AgreementOceans for All, Not for Control

Risks global overreach on shared seas. Undermines Māori kaitiakitanga. Prioritises power over protection.

"Stewardship, not sovereignty, should guide the seas." – Ukes Baha

Submission date: 21 January 2025

#SharedOceans #BBNJAgreement #Kaitiakitanga #TreatyOfWaitangi


Climate, Trade & Sustainability BillGreen Words, Risky Moves

Poorly designed. Undermines real sustainability. Ignores Māori voices. Promotes unstable, corporate solutions.

"Real climate care needs Indigenous wisdom and food security — not slogans." – Ukes Baha

Submission date: 15 January 2025

#ClimateJustice #MāoriGuardianship #TrueSustainability #TreatyOfWaitangi


Treaty Principles BillRewrite by Force

Tries to fix in law what should grow in trust. Undermines partnership. Erodes Māori rights and public unity.

"The Treaty isn’t broken — but this bill would break its spirit." – Ukes Baha

Submission date: 13 January 2025

#HandsOffOurTreaty #CoDesignMatters #TruePartnership #WaitangiJustice


Regulatory Standards BillDeregulation in Disguise

Hands power to unelected boards. Prioritises profit over people. Cuts out Māori, community, and oversight.

"They call it efficiency. We call it erosion." – Ukes Baha

Submission date: 4 January 2025

#ProtectDemocracy #PublicWelfareFirst #NoToDeregulation #HonourTheTreaty