Open Policy NZ

@openpolicynz
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Andrew Ecclestone. I think and know about freedom of information and open government.
On twitter: @openpolicynz
Webhttps://proactivelyopen.org
Open Policy NZApr 2, 2025
Trust DemocracyApr 2, 2025

More Referenda, Better Democracy?

With New Zealanders likely to vote on extending the parliamentary term at the 2026 general election, join us at our AGM for a discussion about referenda and options for strengthening the public’s democratic voice.

Register now to hear from Associate Professor Matheson Russell, and discuss the pros and cons of referenda.

https://trustdemocracy.nz/2025/03/notice-of-2025-agm-featuring-matheson-russell/

Notice of 2025 AGM featuring Matheson Russell - Trust Democracy NZ

Trust Democracy is pleased to announce that its 2025 Annual General Meeting will held on Monday 12 May at St Andrew’s on The Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington, and via Zoom, and will feature an address by Associate Professor Matheson Russell on the topic 'More Referenda, Better Democracy?'

Trust Democracy NZ
Open Policy NZJan 14, 2025
Show threadVenetiaJan 13, 2025
@Kay just read @civillibertynz on the RSB proposal. Outstanding!
https://nzccl.org.nz/submission-consultation-on-proposed-regulatory-standards-bill/
I particularly enjoyed these bits of the conclusion:
"...seeking to protect the ‘liberties’ of companies, it will result in poor quality law making that undermines people’s rights in order to benefit the wealthy... the proposed Regulatory Standards Board is a glaring nexus for corruption and lobbying by vested interests. The proposals are fundamentally undemocratic and should not be taken any further." 🔥
Submission: Consultation on proposed Regulatory Standards Bill

The government is proposing to introduce a Regulatory Standards Bill, which would define principles of liberty and property against which all other legislation would be tested. The Council is opposed to the proposals, and believes they seek to make the 'liberties' and property rights of co

NZ Council for Civil Liberties
Open Policy NZJan 14, 2025
NZ Council for Civil LibertiesJan 13, 2025

The Council is opposed to the proposals for a Regulatory Standards Bill, as they seek to make the 'liberties' and property rights of companies as important as people's human rights.

Read our response to the consultation here: https://nzccl.org.nz/submission-consultation-on-proposed-regulatory-standards-bill/

Submission: Consultation on proposed Regulatory Standards Bill

The government is proposing to introduce a Regulatory Standards Bill, which would define principles of liberty and property against which all other legislation would be tested. The Council is opposed to the proposals, and believes they seek to make the 'liberties' and property rights of co

NZ Council for Civil Liberties
Open Policy NZApr 13, 2024
piegamesApr 12, 2024

Every time I do tech support for my family I get very angry about people who whine about lacking "tech literacy".

90% of the stuff I have to teach them is how to navigate manipulative software and dark patterns. This has nothing to do with tech, but with capitalism. Tech is not complicated, it is just made maximally confusing on purpose to remove agency.

Better tech ed won't fix this.

Open Policy NZApr 11, 2024
NZ Council for Civil LibertiesApr 10, 2024

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. #OGP

https://nzccl.org.nz/secrecy-clauses-that-override-the-official-information-act/

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.

NZ Council for Civil Liberties
Open Policy NZApr 8, 2024
NZ Council for Civil LibertiesApr 8, 2024

The Council has responded to a consultation by the Ministry of Justice on the draft of a voluntary Code of Conduct for lobbyists.

We're concerned by the broad definition of 'lobbyist' and how weak the draft Code is following industry lobbying.

https://nzccl.org.nz/submission-on-the-draft-voluntary-code-of-conduct-for-lobbyists/

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.

NZ Council for Civil Liberties
Open Policy NZApr 1, 2024
James Arthur CattellApr 1, 2024
I'm reading, "Google to delete records from Incognito tracking" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68709119 by Natalie Sherman for the BBC.
Google to delete records from Incognito tracking

The search giant will block third party tracking by default for people searching the web in private mode.

BBC News
Open Policy NZApr 1, 2024
NZ Council for Civil LibertiesApr 1, 2024

Webinar: 'Physical Privacy in Prison' 7pm Tuesday April 23rd.

Can prisons keep segregated prisoners safe while still respecting their privacy?

The winner of our 2023 NZCCL VUW Law Essay prize, Anna Smart, will be presenting her work and answering questions.

Details: https://nzccl.org.nz/webinar-physical-privacy-in-prison/

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 work to us at our first webinar for 2024. We thought her essay Physical Privacy In Prison: Why Dignity is an Inalienable Right and How the Intrusion Tort Can Protect It was not only an int

NZ Council for Civil Liberties
Open Policy NZMar 24, 2024
Show threadNZ Council for Civil LibertiesMar 24, 2024
Accordingly 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.: https://nzccl.org.nz/what-the-royal-commission-on-lessons-from-covid-19-should-consider/
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.

NZ Council for Civil Liberties
Open Policy NZMar 24, 2024
NZ Council for Civil LibertiesMar 24, 2024
We're disturbed that the Royal Commission on Lessons from Covid-19 wishes to keep all submissions secret, especially when most of what we want to talk about is the openness and transparency, or lack of it, of the decision making.