Unraveling New Zealand’s Legal Framework
In the annals of New Zealand’s legal history, a disheartening pattern emerges—one that speaks of broken promises, undermined sovereignty, and an erosion of foundational values. It is time to cast a discerning eye on this legacy, to expose the critical issues that have undermined the very essence of our nation.
From the Treaty of Waitangi to the Constitution Act of 1852, each milestone represented a promise—a pledge of sovereignty, independence, and self-determination. These were not mere words on paper; they were the bedrock upon which our nation was built.
In 1946, the Statutes of Westminster Act emerged as a fortress against unwanted alterations to New Zealand’s legal foundation. Section 8 of this act was a sentinel of permanence, decreeing that certain constitutional acts could not be altered or repealed. This was a safeguard, a promise of stability and continuity.
Yet, in 1986, the Labour Party, then in government, and the National Party colluded in a move that shook the very foundations of our legal framework. The echoes of promises were drowned out by the clamour for change. In an act that defied the promises made in the New Zealand constitution and legislations, they repealed the Constitution Act of 1852. This was not just an amendment; it was an act of erasure, a blotting out of our foundational charter.
With this unlawful act, New Zealand found itself teetering on the precipice of a new reality. The government, once a representation of the people’s will, transformed into a corporate entity, registered in distant lands, governed by distant interests. Ministers, entrusted with the welfare of the people, were transmuted into shareholders, blurring the lines between governance and corporate gain.
And so, Labour and National parties continued to lead our government interchangeably:
• Now under the National coalition government with the ACT and NZ First parties.
• The past 6 years under the Labour banner,
• Followed by a decade of National rule,
• Then another 9 years of Labour governance,
• Succeeded by yet another 9 years of National leadership,
• Followed by 6 more years for Labour,
• And finally, another lengthy stint for National.
This pendulum-like swing between the Red and Blue political parties was no mere coincidence; it was the result of a calculated move that breached the sanctity of our foundational promises. It perpetuated a system at odds with the very values that underpin our nation.
This cannot stand. Like the other historical corruptions and unlawful actions, it is subject to expiration at the time people unite.
We stand at a crossroads, facing a choice that will define the very essence of our nation. Will we allow these breaches to go unchallenged, perpetuating a system that is fundamentally at odds with our foundational promises? Or will we rise, like those before us who fought against injustice, demanding that our nation honours its commitments?
The time for complacency is over. We must rise, not in anger, but in unwavering determination. We must hold those responsible to account, demanding that the sanctity of our foundational promises be restored.
Let us be the generation that reclaims the true spirit of justice. Let us be the champions of a just and equitable society, where promises made are promises kept. The choice is ours, and the future of our nation depends on it.