Category: ACT Party

Source: ACT Party

ACT MP Mark Cameron is calling on Parliament to thank farmers working through summer by reinstating provisions in the Resource Management Act that prevent regional councils from factoring climate change into their planning.

“While many Kiwis enjoy some time off work this summer, cows still need to be milked and crops still need to be watered. Farmers are sacrificing trips away from home to keep New Zealanders—and the world—fed.

“When the politicians get back to Wellington later this month, they ought to give farmers some proper thanks and respect. That starts by unwinding laws that have seen councils pile compliance costs onto farmers in the name of climate action.

“Currently, councils are allowed to use the Resource Management Act to impose a confusing array of restrictions on how New Zealanders use their land, supposedly to cut emissions.

“These changes were made by the previous government, essentially sacrificing property rights to the altar of the climate gods.

“It’s impractical to expect regional councils to tackle global climate issues. It’s an exercise in futility, especially since emissions are already managed at a national level through the Emissions Trading Scheme. If one council clamps down on emissions, it simply shifts high-carbon activities to another region. Plus, councils lack the capability to account for carbon offsets companies might have elsewhere in the country.

“I’ve introduced a member’s bill to bring back the ban on regional councils considering local greenhouse gas emissions.

“Local government should be focused on roads and rates, not on punishing farmers and growers to please a misguided environmental lobby.

“ACT has consistently advocated that the best approach to emissions management is through good science, sensible carbon pricing, and global cooperation – not through intricate land use regulations under the Resource Management Act.

“Kiwi farmers are the most efficient in the world, and my bill would be a helpful step to enable them to focus on what they do best: growing the food that fills our bellies and bringing in the money that keeps our economy ticking.”

You can read the Resource Management (National and Regional Emissions) Amendment Bill here.

Source: ACT Party

As New Zealanders enjoy time with friends and family this summer, ACT MP Todd Stephenson is calling for greater autonomy for terminally ill New Zealanders to choose when, and with whom, they spend their last moments.

Mr Stephenson is the sponsor of the End of Life Choice (Extended Eligibility) Amendment Bill, which would eliminate the need for a terminally ill individual seeking assisted dying services to prove they have only six months left to live, while maintaining all other protective measures.

“The holiday season has been a precious opportunity for Kiwis to gather together with their loved ones, share cherished memories, and create new ones,” says Mr Stephenson.

“As a supporter of end of life choice, I’ve been reflecting on how seriously ill New Zealanders deserve similar moments with their loved ones at the end of their lives.

“In the last three years, the End of Life Choice Act has given around 1,000 terminally ill New Zealanders the chance to decide how, when, and with whom they spend their final days. I’ve heard moving accounts of Kiwis choosing when to say goodbye, often at home surrounded by family. This has spared many from ending their days in impersonal settings like hospitals or care homes.

“However, due to political compromises, stringent eligibility criteria have barred some from this option simply because they couldn’t confirm a six-month prognosis. Yearly reports on assisted dying indicate that this six-month rule is the primary barrier for eligibility.

“Even those who qualify can find that six months is too brief for adequate personal contemplation, medical assessment, and the legal processes required to honour their wishes.

“In August, I was handed a petition from fellow New Zealanders asking that the six-month rule be lifted. I committed to do everything in my power as an MP to amend this law.

“I hope my bill will be drawn from the ballot in 2025 so Parliament has a chance to hear from New Zealanders and vote on a change to the law.”

Source: ACT Party

As many New Zealanders enjoy time off work this summer exploring conservation land, ACT Conservation spokesperson Cameron Luxton is promoting legislation that would ensure hunters and fishers have representation on the Conservation Authority.

“Hunters and fishers have a deep connection to nature and the environment. We enjoy being in the great outdoors, and we’re instrumental in conservation efforts. Every weekend this summer season, thousands of us are out in the bush, and many will contribute to conservation work that would otherwise cost the Department of Conservation and taxpayers billions,” says Mr Luxton.

“From managing deer populations to setting traps for pests, hunters nationwide are active in controlling introduced species, and our activities are influenced by decisions made about the DOC estate.

“Currently, hunters lack representation on the New Zealand Conservation Authority, which comprises 13 members, including representatives from iwi, the Royal Society, Forest and Bird, and Federated Mountain Clubs. Deerstalkers Association members alone dedicate about 184,000 hours annually to conservation activities like habitat restoration, planting, pest control, organized culls, and maintaining backcountry huts and tracks. This is on top of the conservation benefits provided by recreational hunting as a method for game animal management.

“I’ve lodged a bill in Parliament’s ballot that proposes that the Minister of Conservation appoint two additional members to the board—one recommended by the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association, and another after consultation with both Fish and Game and the Game Animal Council.

“ACT believes that effective management of DOC lands requires input from those who are boots-on-the-ground, passionate about conservation. Take the Wapiti Foundation, for example, which manages an introduced species in Fiordland, while also maintaining huts, setting traps, and supporting high-value tourism. Giving hunters a stronger voice on the Conservation Authority could foster more beneficial partnerships for both our natural environment and the taxpayer.

“I hope this bill will gain cross-party support in Parliament.”

You can read the full text of the Conservation (Membership of New Zealand Conservation Authority) Amendment Bill here.

A video where Cameron Luxton discusses this bill is available here.

Source: ACT Party

“Westies and Southlanders trying to buy alcohol for New Year’s or going to the pub this summer deserve the same choice and freedom afforded to the rest of the country,” says West Auckland-based ACT MP Simon Court.

Mr Court is promoting a member’s bill aimed at dismantling New Zealand’s last liquor monopolies.

“In West Auckland, along with Invercargill and Mataura, the only entities allowed to operate liquor stores, taverns, and licensed hotels are the licensing trusts. These monopolies, a relic from the nanny state era of the 1970s, restrict choices and drive up prices,” Mr Court explains.

“My bill wouldn’t eliminate the Licensing Trusts, but it would end monopoly powers and allow local entrepreneurs to sell alcohol under the same regulatory framework as the rest of the country.

“West Auckland’s population is booming, yet there are just eight venues licensed as taverns or hotels for 296,000 people – that’s one for every 37,000 residents. Compare that to the rest of Auckland, where there’s one for every 3,900 people.

“This scarcity leaves the community underserved. Residents are either deprived of the conveniences enjoyed by other Aucklanders or forced to spend their money out of their area, which could be spent locally during this summer’s festivities.

“The existing system is a confusing jumble. In West Auckland, you can operate a hotel, but you’re not allowed a bar or room service. Supermarkets can’t sell alcohol, yet it’s deliverable to your doorstep. It’s just absurd.

“A common justification for these monopolies is that profits go back into the community, but in reality, 80% of the profits in West Auckland come from pokies, and around 60% in Southland.

“Another claim is that by monopolising and restricting alcohol sales, there’s less harm. However, there’s no solid evidence suggesting that West Auckland has less alcohol-related harm due to these monopolies.

“Passing my bill would inject some much-needed vibrancy, diversity, and life into these communities by allowing more bars and eateries to flourish, providing a broader selection for those looking to dine and drink out.

“The economic benefits would extend to other local businesses, drawing more people to the town centres and boosting areas that aren’t burdened by these outdated constraints.”

“Removing monopolies is the right principled starting point. Ultimately, consumers can decide whether to support the Trusts. They will continue to have a vote – that vote is with their dollar.”

You can find Simon Court’s Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Repeal of Licensing Trust Monopolies) Amendment Bill here.

Source: ACT Party

ACT MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar is thanking the operators of liquor stores serving their communities during the summer period, and says these operators deserve a stronger voice in licensing decisions.

“While many of us enjoy some long-awaited time off work this summer, our holiday activities have been made easier by those who sacrifice sunny days to serve us at shops, service stations, and restaurants.

“One sector that often goes unacknowledged is off-licence liquor stores that help Kiwis prepare for Christmas and New Year festivities.

“Licensed liquor stores are legitimate businesses that serve a genuine demand in the community. They provide jobs and draw people into local shopping areas.

“I have introduced a bill into Parliament’s member’s ballot aimed at fortifying the voice of liquor-licensed businesses.

“Starting and running a licensed business entails significant investment, risk, and effort, yet the current laws put these businesses at risk of closure when they apply for licence renewal or when local alcohol policies shift.

“Under the previous Labour government, the process for obtaining or renewing a liquor licence became even more cumbersome. Too many parties have been given disproportionate influence to block or challenge liquor licences.

“ACT believes that decisions about licensing should focus on those directly impacted – the business owners, their patrons, and the nearby community. My bill proposes that only those living within one kilometre of the liquor store can contest an application or renewal for a liquor licence.

“Moreover, licensing regulations should provide stability for businesses that have already secured a licence, preventing sudden rejections due to new establishments like childcare centres or churches moving nearby. My bill guarantees that licensing authorities cannot consider these new developments if the liquor outlet was established prior to their arrival.”

You can read more about the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Participation in Licensing Decisions) Amendment Bill here.

Source: ACT Party

ACT is welcoming news that the Royal Society’s Marsden Fund is being updated to focus on core science that is of economic, environmental or health benefit to New Zealand.

“In recent years, the Marsden Fund’s terms of reference have seen funding prioritised for spirituality, activism and identity politics over high-quality public good research that benefits all New Zealanders,” says ACT Science, Innovation, and Technology spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar.

Recent Marsden Fund Grants include:

• $853,000 to investigate historical and current relationships between Māori and taxation, aiming to propose new, Te Tiriti-aligned tax systems.
• $757,000 to imagine ‘honourable kāwanatanga’ in preparation for a decolonised nation and a Tiriti-based future.
• $360,000 to assess the rhetorics of civic deliberation in true crime podcasting.
• $861,000 for research on linking the celestial spheres to end-of-life experiences.

“These projects are hard to justify to taxpayers who are struggling to afford the basics. Every dollar spent on these grants is a dollar that is not supporting research in the hard sciences, or for that matter, life-saving medicines, essential infrastructure, or tax relief for struggling households.

“Politicians shouldn’t decide which specific research projects are funded, but we have a duty to ensure taxpayer money is focused on research that delivers tangible benefits for society and the economy. Today’s changes will help to ensure that this funding delivers a long-term benefit for New Zealand.

“The Marsden Fund is administered by the Royal Society. ACT says there is an opportunity to make further improvements in areas the Royal Society administers. The Royal Society’s Future Leadership Fellowship Grants award $800,000 each to 20 researchers with quotas for female, Māori, and Pasifika recipients. What’s worse, these grants are allocated via a random lottery, rather than based on the merit of the recipient.

“Where does this leave a New Zealander of European, Indian, or Brazilian descent, for example? They could have the best idea in the world but be excluded for being the ‘wrong’ gender or ethnicity. Even if they meet the identity criteria, their success is left to luck.

“The Royal Society’s funding should prioritise merit, excellence, and societal benefit – not identity politics or lotteries. ACT is calling for a return to fairness, accountability, and a focus on delivering real results for New Zealanders.”

Source: ACT Party

ACT is welcoming the Government’s announcement to restore democratic accountability to transport decision-making in Auckland.

“Today’s announcement marks a significant step towards giving Aucklanders back the control over their transport systems that they so rightfully deserve,” says ACT Transport spokesperson Cameron Luxton.

“For too long, decisions such as the proliferation of speed bumps, lowering of speed limits to what sometimes feels like a snail’s pace, and expensive, poorly thought-out cycle lanes have been made with little regard for the daily lives of Aucklanders. Finally, through Local Boards ratepayers will have a genuine say on local speed limits where it matters, like around schools, instead of the blanket speed approach to speed reductions imposed by unelected anti-car activists at Auckland Transport.”

With regards to the move to make Auckland Council the Road Controlling Authority, Mr Luxton says:

“This will align Auckland with the rest of New Zealand, where local councils have direct control over such pivotal decisions. It’s about accountability – if the ratepayers are unhappy, they know exactly who to hold responsible come election time.”

With regards to the development of a 30-year Integrated Transport Plan, Mr Luxton says:

“Importantly, Auckland will finally have the opportunity to create an integrated transport system vital for quality of life, instead of having roads choked with traffic for years after new subdivisions go in.”

Source: ACT Party

ACT is warning that new standards of competence for registered and enrolled nurses will distract from individual patient needs and make it harder to attract and retain nurses.

“The role of the Nursing Council is to protect the health and safety of the public and ensure nurses are competent and fit to practise. But new standards of competence set to be implemented on 20 January will veer the nursing profession badly off-track,” says ACT Health spokesperson Todd Stephenson.

“Once upon a time, being a nurse was a matter of having the right skills and a kind heart. Now we are asking nurses to have the ‘correct’ views on the Treaty of Waitangi and to make assumptions about patients’ needs based on their ethnicity.”

The six planned ‘pou’ (pillars) of competency for registered nurses are:

Pou one: Māori health
Example: Nurses must use te reo and incorporate tikanga Māori into practice.

Pou two: Cultural safety
Example: Nurses must be able to describe the impact of colonisation and advocate for cultural and spiritual health.

Pou three: Whanaungatanga and communication
Example: Nurses must use culturally appropriate communication in all interactions.

Pou four: Pūkengatanga and evidence-informed nursing practice
Example: Nurses must support whānau choice of alternative therapies such as the use of Rongoā (herbal remedies, massage, and spiritual healing).

Pou five: Manaakitanga and people-centredness
Example: Nurses must integrate relational and whakapapa-centred care to meet the needs of people and whānau.

Pou six: Rangatiratanga and leadership
Example: Nurses must support the constant assessment and improvement of sustainability practices.

“Rather than seeing patients as people with basic humanity and individual needs, nurses are being told to focus on their patients’ ethnic identity. Clinical needs are sidelined in favour of a focus on the Treaty, ‘cultural safety’, and even spiritual concerns,” says Mr Stephenson.

“I have been contacted by nurses who are bewildered by the standards and are concerned they will be required to take extensive additional trainings, when they would rather focus on improving individual nursing skills.

“You have to wonder how we’re meant to attract overseas-trained nurses when our bespoke local standards send the message that their skills and experience are not valued here.

“On Monday, I wrote to the Minister of Health asking that he assess the impact of the proposed competencies.

“In fact, during the election campaign, ACT proposed giving the Health Minister power to override decisions of regulatory authorities like the Nursing Council if the Minister believes those decisions go beyond what is necessary to protect public health and safety.”

Source: ACT Party

Responding to the Labour Party’s decision to charge ahead with work on a capital gains tax and wealth tax, ACT Leader David Seymour says:

“This is the same old joyless, divisive, envy-based politics from Labour. There’s no vision or future for New Zealand in dividing the pie. There’s no future in the values of dividing wealth or dividing people by wealth, we need productivity growth and wealth creation as is abundantly clear in the figures.

“Labour’s basic message is that ‘your problems are caused by somebody else’s success. And if you vote for us we’ll take their wealth and give it to you to solve those problems.’

“The real solution to New Zealanders’ problems is to grow the pie with productivity growth and a celebration of success rather than a demonisation of the very thing we’re trying to create – more prosperity.

“It also shows why it’s so critical to keep Labour and its allies from Te Pāti Māori and the Greens out of power. If their theatrical displays in Parliament weren’t enough, imagine them taking the same attitude towards wealth creation and the wealth that so many New Zealanders have struggled so hard to create over decades.

“They rail against division, then try to pitch us against one another and tear down the tall poppies.

“ACT is focused on real solutions that boost productivity and grow the pie so that there is more wealth for everyone to enjoy. We’re cutting red tape and reforming the resource management system so that New Zealanders are empowered to build and invest. We’re liberalising overseas investment rules to make New Zealand the preferred destination for ideas, investment, talent. And we’re cutting waste, making the government work smarter to do more with less so Kiwis can keep more of their own money and build a better future for themselves and those they care about.”

Source: ACT Party

ACT Local Government spokesman Cameron Luxton is calling on local councils across New Zealand to ditch “progressive procurement” policies.

“Council procurement should have one purpose: deliver quality services at the best possible value for ratepayers. The pursuit of ‘progressive’, ‘diverse’, ‘sustainable’, ‘social enterprise’, or ‘broader’ outcomes in contracting inevitably detracts from a value-for-money focus.

“In September, the Government ditched Labour’s quota for 8% of government agencies’ contracts to be awarded to Māori businesses. It’s time for councils to follow suit.

“After a quick look, I’ve identified eight major councils with procurement policies that reach far beyond a value-for-money focus. I’ve written to each of them and asked them to review these policies.

“Bureaucratic, politically correct procurement rules means reliable contractors are ruled ineligible, or are simply put off by the paperwork. Having an exclusive club of favoured contractors means less competition and worse value for money.

“Councils should be interested in whether a contractor can get the job done at a fair price. But instead, they’re telling pipeline technicians and traffic management operators to scour their family tree to figure out if they can qualify as a Māori business. That’s absurd.

“In February, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown flagged a review of the council’s procurement policies after a long-standing contractor was ruled ineligible based on a lack of ‘social enterprise skills’ and relationships with community and Māori organisations. ACT will be asking him for an update, as there may be lessons for other councils.”

The letters to each of the councils can be read here: