General Debate 25 August 2026

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General Debate

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Yvette

The ACT Party has released a policy that it says will put equal rights and the rule of law at the heart of the New Zealand constitution.

“We would make it clear that Parliament is the one that must be listened to when the law is interpreted in the context at the time that the law was made, not with the courts deciding that they can take into account their own reckons and change the meaning of a law later on,” Seymour said.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361023616/act-announces-one-law-all-policy

Stuff asked whether requiring laws to be read in the context that they were passed could have unintended consequences.
Yes, it seems Stuff could be right …
How about requiring ~~laws~~ the Treaty to be read in the context that ~~they were passed~~ it was signed?
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August 25, 2026 8:01am
Positan

Just wondering, can I ask if anyone else feels that the number of on-screen and pop-up ads on blogs like this one have reached almost oppressive levels?

Of late, I seem to spend as much time dealing with the onslaught of pop-ups that are of no interest to me whatsoever – as I do seeking to ascertain the substance of posted items – and of course, the submitted comments.
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August 25, 2026 8:02am
- Flossie
  
  I just deal with it as getting upset just increases my blood pressure. Ads are IMHO preferable to paying a subscription.
  
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  August 25, 2026 8:11am
- [email protected]
  
  Use the Brave Private browser. You get no ads.
  
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  August 25, 2026 8:26am
Ghost

A stupid thing to do, but I expect Stuff would also have articles holding to account any journalist who would write an article calling a politician an c***…..

A tired Taranaki farmer’s misplaced attempt at humour has caused backlash online after she marked a calf with a highly offensive word.

An image of the calf, marked in blue spraypaint with “c…”, was originally posted in a private group for farming mums but found its way to an animal rights activist who shared it widely.

Article
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August 25, 2026 8:04am
- rouppe
  
  An animal rights group? Lol
  
  What harm was caused to the animal? Did all the other cows laugh at it? Share it on cow media?
  
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  August 25, 2026 8:19am
Yvette

As part of the policy, Act would also seek to add three principles to the Constitution Act 1986: that Parliament is sovereign, the rule of law is fundamental, and all New Zealanders are equal before the law.
https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/08/24/act-takes-aim-at-supreme-court-activism-and-treaty-clauses/

Roger Partridge, lawyer and co-founder of the New Zealand Initiative, a business-funded think-tank, said he was unsure whether changes to the Constitution Act were necessary. “Those things are already enshrined in our law … it might lead to greater uncertainty than clarification by adding similar provisions to the Constitution Act,” he said.

1 – “Those things are already enshrined in our law”
Can Roger Partridge then explain why a non-Maori cannot take a case to the Waitangi Tribunal, whereas Maori can

2 – If mentions of the Treaty need consistency and relevance to purpose, would it not be sensible to assemble all New Zealand’s scattered constitutional references in one accessible document?
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August 25, 2026 8:17am
- mike
  
  What case do you want to take to the Waitangi Tribunal?
  
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  August 25, 2026 8:26am
lifesgood

Did anyone else hear a Labour spokesman on Hosking saying that one of their problems with National’s on line media bill to protect under 16s was that it doesn’t take into account the Treaty of Waitangi? Ye gods! What in the hell does the TOW have to do with it? I’m beginning to despair about this country. That bloody treaty, or should I say morons interpretation of it, has put the country in a strait jacket.
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August 25, 2026 8:23am
Gravelroad

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361024103/why-lawyer-who-assaulted-his-son-kept-his-name-secret
(paywalled)
“A barrister who used his expertise to delay the prosecution after being charged with seriously assaulting his son was granted final name suppression because, according to a judge, “publication would have a significant impact on you in a business sense”.
This was also reported yesterday (not paywalled).
This man was little more than a thug – assaulting and hospitalising his 12 year old son. He knocked the kid down in a “boxing match” and kept hitting him on the floor.
This barrister fought the case against him for four years using his legal knowledge and tricks of the trade and has achieved his aim of no jail time and no further publicity because it might impact him in a “business sense”.
So is this ok?
If it is, then is it ok for the gang meth dealer to get away with assaulting the baby because it might impact him “in a business sense”?
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August 25, 2026 8:53am

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