This is edition 2025/194 of the Ten@10 newsletter.
Hi all,
This is the Ten@10, where I collate and summarise ten news items you generally won't see in the mainstream media.
Enjoy!
1. Our Whipsaw Democracy.
Chris Trotter
- ⚖️ Democratic Stability in Question: Labour’s promise to repeal the Marine and Coastal Areas Act raises concerns about the impact of constant legislative back-and-forth on democracy, undermining citizens' trust in the system.
- ⚖️ Judicial Overreach: The initial problem arose from the judiciary’s reinterpretation of the Act, leading to legislative intervention. However, this judicial activism now poses risks for democratic governance and stability.
- 📜 Treaty and Tikanga Debate: There’s a complex question of whether Māori tikanga and Treaty guarantees should take precedence over the existing legal framework, challenging the status quo of New Zealand law.
- ⏳ Historical Justice and Danger: Attempts to reverse history and “unbuild” the state of New Zealand in favor of Māori customs and tikanga pose dangerous implications for the country’s future stability and unity.
- 🏛️ Potential for Radical Change: If Labour, Greens, and Te Pāti Māori come into power, they may push for more radical changes, such as a new law prioritizing tikanga and the Treaty, which could radically alter property rights and access across New Zealand’s coastline.
- 🔄 Cycle of Whipsawing Legislation: The political instability created by these radical changes could lead to a cycle of legislative pushback and reinstating of previous laws, such as Helen Clark’s Foreshore & Seabed Act, creating further division.
- ⚔️ Conflict and Constitutional Crisis: The potential backlash from Māori and Pakeha over any abrogation of Māori customary rights could lead to constitutional intervention, with judicial forces playing a key role in resolving this crisis.
- 📜 A Call for Constitutional Reform: The scenario might eventually lead to constitutional reforms, replacing parliamentary sovereignty with a written constitution enshrining Te Tiriti o Waitangi and establishing its legal enforcement mechanisms.
- 🇳🇿 Whipsawing Democracy: This issue highlights the breakdown of consensus in New Zealand’s democracy, with polarizing views on sovereignty and rights potentially leading to an unworkable government and a divided society.
