Law & Government
About Law & Government
Our representatives in Parliament and their advisors have the power to affect thousands, even millions, of lives. From the constitutional framework that empowers and limits government, to issues of law and policy that touch on deeper issues like the value and inviolability of human life, we continue an active engagement and interest in a range of policy and legal issues.
Most Recent Activity
Is there demand for a tourist tax?
By Danielle van Dalen
I’m no economist, but even I know that basic economic theory says that as the price for a product increases,…
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Does punishment prevent crime?
By Jeremy Vargo
Benjamin Franklin once wrote to a friend that “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and…
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Beware the consequences of the waka-jumping bill
By Danielle van Dalen
Like many, my first introduction to politics was through a class election. My group decided our key campaign promise was…
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Submission: The End of Life Choice Bill
By Danielle van Dalen
We are opposed to the End of Life Choice Bill. The dangers of this Bill lie at its very core…
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“No.8 wire” ethic is not enough
By Julian Wood
While New Zealanders are proud of the “number 8 wire” ethos that represents our ingenuity and resourcefulness, our actual productivity…
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New Zealanders need to inspect details of End of Life Choice Bill
By Alex Penk
MEDIA RELEASE: Thursday, 14 December 2017 With the End of Life Choice Bill now voted through to Select Committee stage,…
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Three strikes, out
By Alex Penk
The “Three Strikes” legislation is going to be struck out. The new Government has promised to repeal the law in…
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Dodging the lolly-scramble for power
By Alex Penk
As a kid, there was one word that always got your heart racing and your legs pumping at a community…
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The battle lines for our votes
By Kieran Madden
It’s the economy, stupid. This phrase, coined by one of Bill Clinton’s wily campaign strategists, has done a crude but…
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Press column: The price of a ticket on the Universal Basic Income train
By Alex Penk
Read Alex and Julian’s column, published in the Christchurch Press: The price of a ticket on the Universal Basic Income…
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Press column: Why populist politicians favour the dangerous appeal of referendums
By Alex Penk
Read Alex’s latest column in the Christchurch Press: Why populist politicians favour the dangerous appeal of referendums “In the vast…
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The dangerous appeal of binding referendums
By Alex Penk
“Actually, when you drill into it, there are some big reasons to think twice before embracing binding referendums.” Click here…
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MIC 08 | The experts against euthanasia
With David Seymour’s End of Life Choices Bill up for a first reading in Parliament, legal assisted suicide is firmly on…
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The illusion of certainty in the End of Life Choices Bill
By Danielle van Dalen
David Seymour is convinced his End of Life Choices Bill, drawn from the Private Member’s Ballot last Thursday, would be…
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Welfare to work?
By Kieran Madden
Just where do people go when they move off a benefit? It’s a serious question that demands an answer. Why?…
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The regional role of iwi
By Julian Wood
Bill English has made a splash in the last few days, both for his sheep shearing skills and his first-time…
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The public square vs the voting booth
By Alex Penk
Why was Donald Trump’s election so surprising? One obvious reason is that he was completely unfit to be president. Less…
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Lessons from America
By Kieran Madden
While most of us have experienced holding our nose as we vote, our American friends are, as usual, taking it…
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What is the number?
By Alex Penk
Anyone advocating for euthanasia or assisted suicide should have to answer this question: How many wrongful deaths is Parliament prepared…
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Life consistent with our identity
By Jeremy Vargo
I love a good public disagreement; lately there seems to be a perishing lack of the good kind. To me…
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