NZ Council for Civil Liberties
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nzccl.org.nz
NZ Council for Civil Liberties
@nzccl.org.nz
A watchdog for rights and freedoms in New Zealand. We work through education and advocacy to promote a rights-based society and prevent the erosion of civil liberties by government or any other parties. https://nzccl.org.nz
A Place of Firsts - Trust Democracy's event about citizen assemblies as a way of engaging people in complex policy development based on their experience with the Porirua Assembly. It's on Thurs Dec 4th at 6pm at Lecture Theatre 1, Old Government Buildings, VUW. events.humanitix.com/a-place-of-f...
A Place of Firsts
Join our incredible panel as we reflect on learnings from Porirua Assembly’s innovations in Treaty-based community governance
events.humanitix.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Pleased to see that the Select Committee has followed our recommendation to make the Valuers Registration Board subject to the Official Information Act and the Ombudsmen Act. selectcommittees.parliament.nz/v/6/50867ff2...

Our submission here: nzccl.org.nz/submission-v...
Select Committee Reports
selectcommittees.parliament.nz
November 3, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Reposted by NZ Council for Civil Liberties
This Wednesday 15 Oct is the launch of Protect Protest. many people have concerns with govt proposals to significantly impact the right to protest, so we recommend finding out more protectprotest.nz The coalition includes @nzccl.org.nz so we thought it was a good time to profile a 1985 NZCCL book.
October 11, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Reposted by NZ Council for Civil Liberties
NZ Govt to change law so #NZpolice can take + keep random photos + use them to profile Māori, particularly young Māori men. Surveillance state indeed!

#NZpol Pretty sure @nzccl.org.nz won't be impressed.

I #WearAMask for health reasons. 😷⚕️ It helps with #Privacy too
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Fears of 'surveillance state', as police regain right to photograph public, retain images
An amendment to the Policing Act will allow police to collect and use images in public spaces.
www.rnz.co.nz
October 10, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Reposted by NZ Council for Civil Liberties
Launch: Protect Protest Aotearoa.

We're joined up with other groups to resist attacks on the right to protest. protectprotest.nz

Join the launch event with a screening of Operation 8 at 4:30pm October 15th in Wellington. More details: nzccl.org.nz/launch-prote...
Protect Protest Aotearoa – Defend the right to political protest in Aotearoa!
protectprotest.nz
October 9, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Launch: Protect Protest Aotearoa.

We're joined up with other groups to resist attacks on the right to protest. protectprotest.nz

Join the launch event with a screening of Operation 8 at 4:30pm October 15th in Wellington. More details: nzccl.org.nz/launch-prote...
Protect Protest Aotearoa – Defend the right to political protest in Aotearoa!
protectprotest.nz
October 9, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Hi there new followers, remember to also subscribe to @civillibertynznews.bsky.social for a regular feed of news relating to civil liberties in Aotearoa New Zealand.
October 8, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Reposted by NZ Council for Civil Liberties
The NZCCL is looking for people to join our exec committee at our AGM in November.

While we're particularly looking for people with policy or legal experience, we're interested in anyone who is keen and willing to learn.

Contact thomas@nzccl.org.nz to get started.
October 6, 2025 at 8:42 AM
The NZCCL is looking for people to join our exec committee at our AGM in November.

While we're particularly looking for people with policy or legal experience, we're interested in anyone who is keen and willing to learn.

Contact thomas@nzccl.org.nz to get started.
October 6, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Reposted by NZ Council for Civil Liberties
If it feels like the right to protest is under threat then this event is for you! Come watch Operation 8 and learn about contemporary threats to protest rights.
www.facebook.com/share/1DD1UQ...
Redirecting...
www.facebook.com
October 6, 2025 at 3:14 AM
We've submitted on the Demonstrations Near Residential Premises Bill, we'll have it online soon but if you want the PDF before the 2pm submission cutoff time you can read it here: nzccl.org.nz/wp-content/u...
nzccl.org.nz
October 5, 2025 at 9:46 PM
We're very sad to be farewelling Andrew. He's been a huge asset for the NZCCL with particular strengths in policy analysis and open government.

One consolation is that it's good to hear he's going to keep fighting for a better OIA and open government as a whole.
After 7 years on the committee of @nzccl.org.nz I’ve decided to step down so I can effectively focus on OIA reform and open government.

We’re all in a fight for a free and democratic Aotearoa, so if you have policy and/or legal skills please stand at the AGM in November.

#nzpol
October 3, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Reposted by NZ Council for Civil Liberties
I’m involved in the legislation website work, so this is helpful. Mostly we only heard from devs wanting better data access… hence the API. Open access to legislation matters to us, so please do fill out the survey so we can figure out the best way forward. Thanks! www.surveymonkey.com/r/HH5VLL8
RSS User Survey 2025
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
www.surveymonkey.com
October 2, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Official online repository of NZ legislation to drop the free standard RSS access as a way to track updates, and replace it with an API that will a) require coding to use, b) require an access key. www.legislation.govt.nz/news.aspx#rs...
News – New Zealand Legislation
www.legislation.govt.nz
October 1, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Make It 16 are hosting an event in Wellington on Oct 22nd to talk about the future of democracy. Sign up here: makeit16.org.nz/forum
A participatory forum for kōrero and action.
Explore questions about the current state of democracy and ways to protect and shape its future.
makeit16.org.nz
September 30, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Reposted by NZ Council for Civil Liberties
The Council has made a submission to the 2026 Review of Parliament's Standing Orders.

We recommend Parliament employ officials to analyse submissions, restrictions on use of urgency, and other measures to strengthen and safeguard our democracy.

nzccl.org.nz/submission-r...
Submission: Review of Standing Orders 2026
Our submission to the 2026 Standing Orders Review focuses on improvements to select committee scrutiny of bills, improving public participation earlier in the policy and legislation development proces...
nzccl.org.nz
September 26, 2025 at 7:43 AM
The Council has made a submission to the 2026 Review of Parliament's Standing Orders.

We recommend Parliament employ officials to analyse submissions, restrictions on use of urgency, and other measures to strengthen and safeguard our democracy.

nzccl.org.nz/submission-r...
Submission: Review of Standing Orders 2026
Our submission to the 2026 Standing Orders Review focuses on improvements to select committee scrutiny of bills, improving public participation earlier in the policy and legislation development proces...
nzccl.org.nz
September 26, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Reposted by NZ Council for Civil Liberties
In case you thought @nzccl.org.nz was being paranoid about ever increasing levels of surveillance, even the Privacy Commissioner says it wouldn’t be permitted in countries we pretend our Privacy Act is on a par with.
September 17, 2025 at 11:58 PM
A joint letter from multiple NZ organisations pointing out their fears that suggested changes to the Terrorism Suppression Act risk suppressing dissent, advocacy, and humanitarian work: community.scoop.co.nz/2025/09/join...
Community Scoop » Joint Statement On Proposed Amendments To The Terrorism Suppression Act 2002
community.scoop.co.nz
September 18, 2025 at 8:51 AM
The Electoral Amendment Bill is dangerous to Aotearoa New Zealand's democracy.

• It removes voting rights from prisoners
• It removes enrolment 13 days before voting
• It bans food, drink & entertainment within 100 m of a polling place

MPs should not pass it.

nzccl.org.nz/submission-e...
Submission: Electoral Amendment Bill
The Council strongly opposes the Electoral Amendment Bill, which will weaken our democracy by limiting who can vote, and removing the ability to enrol after the election is called.
nzccl.org.nz
September 11, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Health NZ demonstrates again why we need penalties in the Official Information Act for the worst cases of unreasonably holding information: www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Health NZ apologises to nurses' union after Ombudsman's scolding
"We acknowledge that refusing this request was not appropriate and may have contributed to delays in the important work you are undertaking on behalf of our kaimahi."
www.rnz.co.nz
September 3, 2025 at 10:44 PM
A defence of the right of prisoners to vote quotes the Independent Electoral Review "Given the fundamental nature of the right to vote, disenfranchisement should not form part of someone’s punishment": newsroom.co.nz/2025/08/27/w...
Why imposing voting ban on prisoners is flawed
Comment from Victoria University of Wellington: The Government's plan to disenfranchise prisoners ignores NZ's human rights obligations, undermines rehabilitation efforts, and increases discrimination...
newsroom.co.nz
August 26, 2025 at 9:22 PM
The webinars for the NZCCL/VUW Law essay prizes are now online.

First is Emily McKechnie with "Overcrowded and Understaffed - Remand in Aotearoa", followed by India Bulman describing how dual Pākehā and Māori legal systems were allowed for in the 1852 Constitution Act: nzccl.org.nz/essay-prize-...
Essay prize webinars now viewable online
Thanks to our NZCCL/VUW Law essay prize winners for taking the time to present their essays and answer questions in our webinars. These were recorded and are now available online.
nzccl.org.nz
August 22, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Mary paid for a billboard to publicise the issues with the Privacy Commissioner's report into Foodstuffs' use of facial recognition technology!

You can read her post here: nzccl.org.nz/guest-post-s...
August 18, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Reposted by NZ Council for Civil Liberties
Self-governing Māori Legal Districts in Aotearoa? In a law from 1852? What?!

Find out more in Tuesday's webinar at 1pm. Details and registration: nzccl.org.nz/5th-august-2...
5th August 2025: Webinar: Kia Tangi Tonu Tātou: The Call for Constitutional Transformation in Aotearoa
Come and hear essay prize winner India Bulman present her essay 'Kia Tangi Tonu Tātou: The Call for Constitutional Transformation in Aotearoa'
nzccl.org.nz
August 4, 2025 at 1:19 AM