Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 1d

Opinion: Ideas are meant to provoke action. That’s not a crime - Jonathan Ayling - https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/ideas-are-meant-to-provoke-action-thats-not-a-crime-jonathan-ayling/OAHOVHZK2FG2PKZ6RTXFF2MDAM/?lid=vvpwpxmdojgd - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

Jonathan Ayling: Can Swarbrick’s speech be considered ‘incitement’?

OPINION: Dr Melissa Derby says she was misunderstood on Q+A over hate speech laws.

www.nzherald.co.nz

1 1

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 1d

Government moves to give police back more information-collecting powers - https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/575449/government-moves-to-give-police-back-more-information-collecting-powers - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

Government moves to give police back more information-collecting powers

The amendments will also extend to letting police shut off more areas, not just roads, in an emergency or disorder.

www.rnz.co.nz

2 4

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 2d

‘Hope is not an option’: Select committee hears digital harm protections long overdue - https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/07-10-2025/hope-is-not-an-option-select-committee-hears-digital-harm-protections-long-overdue - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

‘Hope is not an option’: Select committee hears digital harm protections long overdue

Regulation is still desperately needed, say experts, but a social ban for under-16s may only exacerbate harm further.

thespinoff.co.nz

1 3

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 3d

Police not looking into misuse of vehicle-spotting cameras - https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/575286/police-not-looking-into-misuse-of-vehicle-spotting-cameras - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

Police not looking into misuse of vehicle-spotting cameras

That's despite reports suggesting some officers may have repeatedly looked up the same vehicle.

www.rnz.co.nz

2 1

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 3d

Anne Salmond: Academic freedom and its enemies - https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/07/anne-salmond-academic-freedom-and-its-enemies/ - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

Anne Salmond: Academic freedom and its enemies

In NZ there are chilling moves towards illiberal democracy. While they are being strongly resisted so far, political leaders and others must wake up.

newsroom.co.nz

1

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 4d

Not voting in local elections is rational: voters need better reasons to engage - https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/575182/not-voting-in-local-elections-is-rational-voters-need-better-reasons-to-engage - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

Not voting in local elections is rational: voters need better reasons to engage

On the available evidence, more than half of New Zealand voters think the effort to vote in local elections is unlikely to be worth the return.

www.rnz.co.nz

1

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 4d

Why we need uncomfortable journalism - https://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/nz-news/360843291/why-we-need-uncomfortable-journalism - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

The Waikato Times

www.waikatotimes.co.nz

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 5d

Candidate says abuse forced them to give up campaigning in Ruapehu election - https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/candidate-says-abuse-forced-them-to-give-up-campaigning-in-ruapehu-election/TYJMZQRH3VEWVBSS2CSRDZQIUQ/ - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

Council condemns abuse of candidates

A contender in Ruapehu District says intimidation has forced them to abandon campaigning.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 5d

The third branch: Parliament's relationship with the courts - https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/574991/the-third-branch-parliament-s-relationship-with-the-courts - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

The third branch: Parliament's relationship with the courts

The state has three independent branches. Victoria University Dean of Law Geoff McLay helps explain the crucial relationship between Parliament, government and the courts.

www.rnz.co.nz

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 6d

NZ Law Association fears parts of boy racer Bill 'potentially unfair' and 'unworkable' - https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/574782/nz-law-association-fears-parts-of-boy-racer-bill-potentially-unfair-and-unworkable - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

NZ Law Association fears parts of boy racer Bill 'potentially unfair' and 'unworkable'

The Law Association says members supported the goal of the legislation but had concerns over its sweeping new powers.

www.rnz.co.nz

1

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 9d

How safe is your face? The pros and cons of having facial recognition everywhere - https://theconversation.com/how-safe-is-your-face-the-pros-and-cons-of-having-facial-recognition-everywhere-265753 - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

How safe is your face? The pros and cons of having facial recognition everywhere

Before you scan your face, you might want to think twice about the risks.

theconversation.com

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 9d

Man's conviction for wearing cap with gang insignia infringed on his human rights, court told - https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/574587/man-s-conviction-for-wearing-cap-with-gang-insignia-infringed-on-his-human-rights-court-told - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

Man's conviction for wearing cap with gang insignia infringed on his human rights, court told

Mana Brown was prosecuted under the Gangs Act 2024 after being spotted on CCTV cameras wearing a cap that included the word 'Nomad'.

www.rnz.co.nz

2 2

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 10d

Local elections: Errors in voting packs could lead to change - https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/574493/local-elections-errors-in-voting-packs-could-lead-to-change - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

Local elections: Errors in voting packs could lead to change

Currently councils run local elections but recent errors have sparked calls for the Electoral Commission to take over responsibility.

www.rnz.co.nz

1 1

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 11d

What you need to know about digital driver licences in New Zealand - https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/574579/what-you-need-to-know-about-digital-driver-licences-in-new-zealand - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

What you need to know about digital driver licences in New Zealand

Explainer - The government aims to introduce digital driver licences by the end of the year. But are they safe - and will everyone have to use them?

www.rnz.co.nz

1 5 5

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 11d

Getty Images Why a proposed law to criminalise protests near homes is too vague to do much good - https://theconversation.com/why-a-proposed-law-to-criminalise-protests-near-homes-is-too-vague-to-do-much-good-263794 - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

Why a proposed law to criminalise protests near homes is too vague to do much good

A proposed law change would criminalise protests near private residences. But laws against disruptive or violent protest already exist, so what’s the point?

theconversation.com

1 1

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 11d

New Zealand takes stock of online age verification options - https://www.biometricupdate.com/202509/new-zealand-takes-stock-of-online-age-verification-options - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

New Zealand takes stock of online age verification options | Biometric Update

Age assurance is on New Zealand’s agenda as the country advances its digital identity system and the Trust Framework that governs it.

www.biometricupdate.com

1 1

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 11d

Organised crime report lifts lid on scary future - https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/09/30/organised-crime-report-lifts-lid-on-scary-future/ - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

Organised crime report lifts lid on scary future

Today from The Detail: The final report from the ministerial advisory group is delivered today, and it makes for frightening reading. Alexia Russell reports.

newsroom.co.nz

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 11d

Privatisation of the electoral process harms Māori and our democracy - https://waateanews.com/2025/09/29/privatisation-of-the-electoral-process-harms-maori-and-our-democracy/ - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

Privatisation of the electoral process harms Māori and our democracy

waateanews.com

1 2

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 12d

The future of travel: What navigating the airport will look like in the next decade - https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/360835316/future-travel-what-navigating-airport-will-look-next-decade - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

1

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 12d

South Auckland urged to ‘prove everyone wrong’ as voter turnout lags - https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2025/09/26/south-auckland-urged-to-prove-everyone-wrong-as-voter-turnout-lags/ - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

South Auckland urged to ‘prove everyone wrong’ as voter turnout lags

Community leaders say poverty, missing papers and disconnection are all barriers but warn that low participation risks silencing Pacific voices for years to come.

www.teaonews.co.nz

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 12d

Human rights law to be cross examined at conference - https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/news-and-events/news/2025/human-rights-law-to-be-cross-examined-at-conference-?utm_source=miragenews&utm_medium=miragenews&utm_campaign=news - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

Human rights law to be cross examined at conference | University of Canterbury

www.canterbury.ac.nz

1 2

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 12d

Say no to less democracy - https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360836730/say-no-less-democracy - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

The Press

www.thepress.co.nz

2 1

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 12d

United Nations torture watchdog visiting New Zealand prisons - https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/574278/united-nations-torture-watchdog-visiting-new-zealand-prisons - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

United Nations torture watchdog visiting New Zealand prisons

Recent reports from the chief ombudsman and Office of the Inspectorate expressed concerns that human rights were being breached.

www.rnz.co.nz

1 1

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 15d

New electoral legislation won't speed up official results - https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/574129/new-electoral-legislation-won-t-speed-up-official-results - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

New electoral legislation won't speed up official results

That's despite the changes primarily being made to improve the timeliness of the official vote count.

www.rnz.co.nz

Civil liberties newsfeed (NZ) @civillibertynznews.bsky.social · 15d

Electoral Amendment Bill: Submitters want fewer restrictions, more sausages - https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/574109/electoral-amendment-bill-submitters-want-fewer-restrictions-more-sausages - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news

Electoral Amendment Bill: Submitters want fewer restrictions, more sausages

The government's Electoral Amendment Bill has faced a deluge of criticism as submissions were heard at Parliament on Thursday.

www.rnz.co.nz

3 3