Part of my creativity is the value of time thinking and thinking itself. There is never nothing happening.
Posting this is not wanting anyone to be opposed as I am, be politically aligned or have my world view. I am hoping my tribe is bigger than that.
Here below is my submission to the Select Committee reading submissions in Aotearoa New Zealand on the Regulatory Standards Bill. The RSB.
My 4th submission since this coalition government assumed the reigns in NZ.
The deadline was 1pm today. With the distraction of what’s happening in the middle east……………..I got this important submission in just in time.
It feels good.
It really does.
Simply the pleasure of exercising your voice within the democracy in Aotearoa / New Zealand.
No the submission is not perfect.
But heaps of clever as people say lots more. Check out Melanies Stack. Clever as people who oppose this bill. Get a coffee and choose your listen.
My previous post on another submission had some great links too.
Have an awesome as day….. blue skys and rain all at the same time.
Who knows how long we can enjoy these things.
Namaste.
Graham
Submission of Graham Hughes
Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulatory Standards Bill Select Committee Submission - Graham Hughes
Thank you for this invitation and opportunity to participate in our democracy and have a voice in the governance of Aotearoa New Zealand.
My name is Graham Hughes and I am 68 years old.
I have been a teacher most of my adult life, and though now retired for want of a better word, I continue to be an aggressive learner. I have done my due diligence around this bill. I write my submission from that learning, concern and the love of all that being a ‘kiwi’ means. I am Tangata Tiriti.
My submission is not from any rigid partisan position or world view. I do my best to be open.I definitely lean towards governments that care for the majority of the people, governments that represent and protect the unique existence we have in Aotearoa /NZ.
It is my firm belief and hope that the government of Aotearoa New Zealand is meant to serve the good of the people and their country.
That is the role of government in a democracy, to represent the majority of those people. (not 8.6% of them or the agenda of a minority party)
My concern with the Regualtory Standards Bill (RSB) is that it does not serve the good or the majority of the peoples of Aotearoa, Tangata Whenua or Tangata Tiriti, our way of life, our way of government or the best future for our children and their children's children.
The RSB represents a profound and fundemental shift away from ‘good’ government, ‘good’ regulations and ‘good’ intentions within the framework of what makes New Zealand work, and work for the majority of us.
Is it even necessary is one question?
No it's not a perfect system around regulations, but this is not the change needed, if any is needed. The RSB is cloaked in words that deceive us into thinking it is an improvement and will make things better, but it won't. It will tie government up and render it impotent and libel in making 'good' legislation.
Good for who is also a question?
This bill represents the neo liberal ideologies and agenda of one party in this coalition government. One party with only 8.6 % percent of the vote. One party that have become the tail wagging the dog. And proud of it!
The RSB represents a move away from a decent democracy and gives unbridled power to ‘corporations’, ‘private ownership’ and individuals over the good for all, be it land or peoples in regulation and lawmaking. It would also have the power to retrospectively anul legislation that does not fit RSB criteria and principles.
All this under the ruse of making things 'better', it all seems comon sensical, but it is in fact antithetical to good government and regulatory practices. It is antithetical to the heart of all things 'kiwi' in governance. eg. The invalidation of Te Tiriti O Waitangi and it's central place in the partnership with tangata whenua as we share Aotearoa/ New Zealand.
I support all Te Tiriti means as it is translated and applied in a contemporary time space within governance in Aotearoa / New Zealand.
The RSB endangers that partnership. The RSB ignores and trivialises that relationship.
This bill has been tried to get passed into legislation by it’s ACT Party sponsors 3 x before, and each time it has been struck down by the parliamentary process, the process representing the will of the people, representing in government what is best for the people of New Zealand.
What would be different now this 4th time around.
I firmly oppose the Regulatory Standards Bill before the house and this select committee.
And I am not alone in this, nor am I a bot.
My opposition to the Regulatory Standards Bill is not a solitary act on my part.
Academics and experts, people who know their stuff, up and down the country have spoken out and drawn the publics attention to the dangers and deep deep changes the RSB represents.
This opposition to the bill deserves serious consideration. It is not purely partisan opposition.
This bill is seen to favour corporations, private property owners, and the rights of the individual over the rights of the collective, the land and the environment itself. It does not protect collective well being across a range of fronts, environmental concerns and indigenous rights.
Many people who know way way more than I about the mechanics of government and governance are concerned. They know the details, the minutae........and I trust their intent and knowledge, or I could say 'where their hearts are'.
I do not trust the party who has brought this bill to the table, all dressed up as reasonable and needed to make things better.
This is not the case, as academic after academic has pointed out in the media.
David Seymour's own ministry's investigation found that the RSB was wanting and advised him to not put it forward. His own experts and advisors!
This 4th attempt by ACT to get it a bill such as this passed by parliament.
It must not pass.
David Seymour flicks off any criticism that doesn’t agree with his or his party's political agenda. ACT belittles in media those personalities who do disagree with him. Seymour lacks civility.
The Minister of Regulation will have too much power if this bill is passed. He will have a board of his own choosing.I have a question around how healthy that is?
I wonder about what happens when the minister moves on, since this legislation is so embedded primarily in ACT ideology and agenda. Atlas ideology and agenda that has been clearly documented and deeply connections with ACT and especially the minister, David Seymour.
ACT was not supported by over 90% of New Zealanders at the last election.
ACT is a 'fringe' party within the political landscape.
The wisdom of all the powers of the Minister Of Regulation to be vested in one person eludes me. One person with a neo liberal political agenda. And a heavily Atlas Network agenda. (visible globally)
The ministry of regulation should reflect the will of the people rather than the will and ideology of one political party.
Set up in this way, the RSB and the Ministry of Regulation is divisive and contemptuous of the people who put minsters into power. Simply stated, it does not represent better regulation, and does not protect the people of Aotearoa New Zealand, the whenua or envirionment.
My Recommendations
I do not want to make this submission so long it becomes a repetitive document.
Other submissions will far better than I can detail why this is dangerous legislation and 'it should not pass'.
You on the committee will have access to all that collective wisdom in all the submissions.
I will conclude here, as a pretty bog standard John Smith kiwi voter.
Please listen to the voices that illuminate why this is dangerous legislation for Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Regulatory Standards Bill creates a problem where no problem exists .
We already have a process of writing good law.
This Bill is a power grab by David Seymour and his ACT party on behalf his private ownership and corporate masters. And voters who fall for the innocuous rhetoric of the ACT Party.
The Regulatory Standards Bill is far-reaching and dangerous.
It is a bill that attempts to smuggle uncontroversial libertarian principles into law that ultimately seeks to protect corporate profit, boost individual private property rights, and hinder legislators away from regulating in the public interest.This bill is not in the interest of the people of New Zealand , the people whom the government represents and that good government should have as their main business.
The RSB enacts constitutional change without accompanying appropriate process.
This submission concludes and recommends that The RSB should be opposed.
Any responsible lawmakers should not allow it to pass.
Regulation is important for protecting the public interest.
This bill, the RSB does not protect the public interest, nor the whenua and the environment.
It will be a sad sad day for Aoteraoa and it's people if it is passed.
Thank you for listening.
Graham Hughes
23 June 2025
Really well written and I totally agree
Well said! I hope this submission (along with all the others) gets the attention it deserves.