Democracy Action is a group of concerned Kiwis who stand for fairness and equality. We have an unwavering commitment to democracy and the rule of law. 

We believe in a fair and just society where all citizens enjoy equal rights. Equal rights include equal political status, equal voting rights, equal treatment before the law, equal access to education, health services and social security, as well as economic and social rights. 

We believe that all New Zealanders have the right to assemble and identify within a collective, whether that be for ethnic, cultural, religious or any other purpose, as long as the collective rights of the group do not infringe on individual rights of any persons inside or outside that group.

WHY WE’RE FIGHTING FOR DEMOCRACY

In recent times we have seen a decline in the values that once underpinned New Zealand - that of a fair and just society that recognises the equality of all citizens.

Instead of upholding these values by promoting the equal rights of all members of our society, we have seen the rise of factions in our society seeking to secure special rights based on their collective identity. These collective rights are often at the expense of the individual rights of other citizens.

The promotion of collective rights has resulted in a decline in our democracy, with the rights of one sector promoted above the rights and interests of all other New Zealanders.

We believe there is no room in a modern multi-cultural society for laws, policies or other rights based on ethnicity, religion, gender, or any other inalienable factor.

We believe there is no place in New Zealand for a two-systems governance arrangement based on ethnicity.

We believe that there should only be one system of law in New Zealand, with equal access to and equal treatment of all citizens before the law - to be judged by the same rules and standards of behaviour.

WE ARE DEMANDING THAT THE INTEGRITY OF OUR DEMOCRACY BE RESTORED, AND EQUALITY FOR ALL CITIZENS BE SECURED IN LAW:

• All laws, policies and practices based on or advocating special rights for peoples or individuals based on racial, religious, or cultural differences to be abolished.
• All those who make decisions on behalf of New Zealanders be accountable to all citizens.
• Proposed constitutional changes to be put to citizens by binding referendum (both local and central government).
• An independent body to monitor all government bills and policies to ensure consistency with human rights laws. Any legislation that is inconsistent would need to be revised or put to a referendum. 

We believe a commitment to individual human rights is the best way to ensure equal rights for all New Zealanders. Individual human rights do not discriminate between members of society based on ethnicity, gender, age, religion, ability, or opinion.

THE MOST SERIOUS THREATS TO OUR DEMOCRACY

1. Treaty of Waitangi interpreted as a partnership between the Crown and Māori

 The notion that Treaty of Waitangi created a partnership between the Crown and Māori poses the single biggest threat to New Zealand’s democracy. Former Labour Prime Minister David Lange explained that the Treaty was a contract between the Crown and Māori, not a partnership. He said treating it as a partnership was not only absurd but doing so would result in the introduction of profoundly undemocratic rights and entitlements.

The Treaty of Waitangi / Te Tiriti o Waitangi was an agreement between Māori chiefs and the Queen of England. It established Crown sovereignty over New Zealand, guaranteeing the chiefs, tribes and all the people of New Zealand the possession of their lands, dwellings, and property. It granted all Māori the rights and privileges of British subjects. 

The concept of a Treaty of Waitangi “partnership” is a relatively recent invention, having its origins in three events in 1985, 1986 and 1987. The first of these key events is the 1985 Treaty of Waitangi Amendment Act. The following year the State-Owned Enterprises Act 1986 introduced the concept of Treaty principles. 

The third event was the 1987 Court of Appeal decision stating that the Treaty created a relationship “akin to a partnership” between Māori and the Crown. And thus began a fight, which continues to this day, about the meaning of the word “partnership”. This partnership concept was immediately picked up by the Waitangi Tribunal and the New Zealand Māori Council. From that time this powerful interest group has achieved enormous success in demanding constitutional change, with the concept of a Treaty partnership as the justification. 

2. Incorporating tikanga Māori into our legal system

There is increasing recognition by the Courts of tikanga (Māori customary values and practices) as forming part of New Zealand’s common law. In some recent cases the judges have even ruled that tikanga takes precedent over common law. 

This greater influence of tikanga is a dangerous trend that undermines democracy and the rule of law. 

The values of the tikanga are unclear - vagueness makes it uncertain and impossible to define. By embracing Māori tikanga – which differs from hapu to hapu and iwi to iwi – the judiciary is radically undermining the foundation of certainty and impartiality on which the whole legal system is based.

3. The rewriting of New Zealand history 

New Zealand history is being re-written with little apparent regard for veracity. From 2022, distorted accounts of our history - serving the interests of the sector of our community calling for greater constitutional and governance rights - are to be taught to all school children from Year 1. This is despite concerns raised by experts over significant omissions, with many expressing unease over the curriculum’s ideological tilt. 

SUPPORT THE FIGHT TO RETAIN OUR DEMOCRACY

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