Opinion

VOTING 'NO' IN OCTOBER'S CANNABIS CONTROL BILL REFERENDUM? THINK AGAIN.

VOTING 'NO' IN OCTOBER'S CANNABIS CONTROL BILL REFERENDUM? THINK AGAIN.

LawAid International brings decades of in-court experience to the debate around cannabis law reform, arguing strongly for legalisation and asking the undecided and those voting ‘No’ in September’s referendum to think again.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH: IF IT AIN’T BROKE, DON’T FIX IT

FREEDOM OF SPEECH: IF IT AIN’T BROKE, DON’T FIX IT

There are clear lines of demarcation between free speech and the criminal offences associated with inciting racial disharmony, or obscene behaviour. Parenthetically, the question of whether it is the role of the State to proscribe standards of obscenity might be left for another day.

JULIAN ASSANGE'S NEW ZEALAND LAWYER CRAIG TUCK: "IT'S A TRAIN WRECK" - PRESS RELEASE

JULIAN ASSANGE'S NEW ZEALAND LAWYER CRAIG TUCK: "IT'S A TRAIN WRECK" - PRESS RELEASE

In what is turning out to be a train wreck of arbitrary decision making by authorities, an Ecuadorean judge authorised the seizure of Julian’s belongings, so that US prosecutors could help themselves to items including manuscripts, legal papers, medical records and electronic equipment. Tuck describes the situation as utterly bizarre.

TRANSNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW IN NEW ZEALAND – THE MARITIME POWERS EXTENSION ACT 2018

TRANSNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW IN NEW ZEALAND – THE MARITIME POWERS EXTENSION ACT 2018

Crime crosses borders, and governments struggle to keep pace with rapidly-shifting criminal practices. Drug trafficking is clearly one of these transnational crimes, and New Zealand isn’t immune from it.

DOES NEW ZEALAND REALLY NEED A MODERN SLAVERY ACT?

DOES NEW ZEALAND REALLY NEED A MODERN SLAVERY ACT?

In light of the recent cases of human trafficking being heard in New Zealand courts, it is almost inevitable that the question will be raised: is New Zealand doing enough to combat human trafficking?

SIMON BRIDGES, STOP USING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO SCORE POLITICAL POINTS

SIMON BRIDGES, STOP USING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO SCORE POLITICAL POINTS

Drastic and rapid changes to New Zealand’s bail, parole and sentencing practices need to happen – they should have happened decades ago.

THE 2009 PORT STATE MEASURES AGREEMENT – A NEW WAY TO RESPOND TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING?

THE 2009 PORT STATE MEASURES AGREEMENT – A NEW WAY TO RESPOND TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING?

In recent years, research has shown a clear connection between IUU fishing and forced labour. It has been recognised that both human trafficking and forced labour are social consequences of IUU fishing.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DUE PROCESS

THE IMPORTANCE OF DUE PROCESS

In 2011, Christie Marceau was tragically killed. Akshay Chand was her killer. Chand was on bail when he killed her. Facts.

PRESS RELEASE - NEW ZEALAND SIDE-STEPPING ITS INTERNATIONAL LEGAL OBLIGATIONS

PRESS RELEASE - NEW ZEALAND SIDE-STEPPING ITS INTERNATIONAL LEGAL OBLIGATIONS

It seems obvious that New Zealand is trying to maintain its “clean and green” image at the expense of other countries like India and Niue. This is industrial-scale littering far from “tidy kiwi” behaviour.

PRESS RELEASE – LAWAID INTERNATIONAL CONGRATULATES NZ GOVERNMENT ON TAKING ACTION AGAINST TRAFFICKERS

PRESS RELEASE – LAWAID INTERNATIONAL CONGRATULATES NZ GOVERNMENT ON TAKING ACTION AGAINST TRAFFICKERS

Immigration New Zealand have recently taken a prosecution against two New Zealand citizens who are alleged to have exploited a number of migrants who had entered the country on temporary work visas.

THE COSTS OF PRISON

THE COSTS OF PRISON

New Zealand has the second highest rate of imprisonment in the world. The only country that has more of its population behind bars than us per capita is the USA - and they’ve acknowledged that it’s a problem.

NAZI PUGS AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH

NAZI PUGS AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH

The right to freedom of expression and thought is one of the most important and fundamental rights. It is a cornerstone of modern society. But it comes with a very important corollary.

SIR BOB JONES MIGHT NOT BE RACIST, BUT HE WRITES LIKE HE IS

SIR BOB JONES MIGHT NOT BE RACIST, BUT HE WRITES LIKE HE IS

Sir Bob Jones’ racist diatribe against Maori, and the response calling for him to be stripped of his knighthood and prosecuted for hate speech raise big questions about the role of free speech in New Zealand society.

LESE MAJESTE: ON THE RIGHT TO OFFEND THE GOVERNMENT

LESE MAJESTE: ON THE RIGHT TO OFFEND THE GOVERNMENT

In Roman times, ruling emperors came to the conclusion that not only did they rule the state, they were the state. Thus, to criticise the emperor was to criticise the state.

PHILLIP SMITH: HAIR FOR ALL

PHILLIP SMITH: HAIR FOR ALL

The recent High court decision that prison officials acted wrongly in taking Phillip Smith's hairpiece from him has created public outrage against him and at times Justice Wylie.

WHEN IS HATE A SPEECH?

WHEN IS HATE A SPEECH?

Freedom of speech, freedom of religion and accusations of hate speech have continued to go off sporadically like Guy Fawkes a week after the explosive event.