Submission guide for January ❤️

We talked about how last year was The Year of Revolt - I'm hoping this year will be the Year of Being Horny on Main. But that seems less likely with every new day and we're only on day bloody six. I mean, we've already had a breaking international law incident.

For most of 2025, this cruel and financially incompetent government has kept a slight lead over the Labour/Greens/TPM coalition. So, it looks like we are going to have to do some mahi. ANNOYING. But let's do it eh?

Put these dates in your diary with reminders - let's do some submissions.

Before 9 January

The Racing Industry (Closure of Greyhound Racing Industry) Amendment Bill. Greyhound racing in New Zealand is due to end on 31st July 2026. But the industry is fighting it every step of the way. We need you to get this ban across the finish line. Support the Bill to end greyhound racing - submit now.

Key points to get across:

• I strongly support the proposed ban on greyhound racing in New Zealand.
• A ban on greyhound racing is the only way to protect greyhounds from preventable suffering.
• I recommend the government to pass the Racing Industry (Closure of Greyhound Racing Industry) Amendment Bill and end the unnecessary suffering of these dogs by closing the industry on 1 August 2026.

More info: The SPCA has a handy template you can cut and paste if you don't want to write it out yourself. There's lots of info on their page: No More Chances. Download letter in Microsoft Word. Download letter in Google Docs.

Before Jan 14

The Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill is an absolute shocker of a bill. It gives Erica Stanford even more power than she currently has. It's basically an attempt to hijack the public education system in Aotearoa.

The bill pushes Māori voices and Te Tiriti further to the margins, removes schools’ autonomy to localise the curriculum, centralises power and direct political control and expands privatisation.  

Key points to get across:

• I do not support The Education and Training (System Reform) Bill
• I do not support legislation that gives direct Ministerial control of the curriculum - experts not politicians should be in charge of the curriculum.
• I do not support pushing Māori voices out of decision-making and sidelining te ao Māori approaches in education.
• This bill leaves inclusive education to chance and disabled and rainbow learners behind and strips teachers of their autonomy.
• Education works best for our kids when community and whānau are involved and in partnership. This bill does not prioritise, encourage, enhance or support this partnership.
• Staff at charter schools should be able to convert back to State Schools without threatening behaviour or language from the government.
• I DO NOT SUPPORT THE PRIVATISATION OF OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.
• I recommend the bill is thrown out as it is politicising our childrens' education and is an attempt to support the privatisation of our education system.

More info: Here's a submission guide from NZEI. Here's another great submission guide from The Public Education Project.

The Teacher's Union is against the bill. The PPTA is against the bill. The Aotearoa Educators Collective is against the bill. Here's the worries the Law Society has. Here's more info on the imported ideology behind education reform.

Before 4 February

Budget Policy Statement 2026. This is one you can do as a family and it's really important! It's also easy - and it is a great activity to do with your kids to work on being more aware of what's going on in our country and who needs support and love.

Make your submission by writing in the official submission portal or by uploading a document you’ve written (Child Poverty Action Group’s templates are below - they have a full page of great info).

If you like you can read the Budget Policy Statement and then discuss as a family (it's hard to get your head around so don't worry if you skip this step). Discuss what you as a family think should be the government's priorities and who you feel is most at risk in our country

Key points to make:

• Around 157,000 kids live in material hardship and Aotearoa currently ranks 29th out of 39 OECD countries for child poverty rates. Sole parent families are hit hardest with children in these families making up 74% of those relying on a benefit, and they face the biggest income gaps. We must spend more money to support these families, not punish them and attack them with benefit sanctions.
• More than 50% of children in material hardship live in households where at least one adult is working. The unemployment rate is phenomenally high - we must prioritise support for people without paid unemployment, in precarious employment, and those who are not paid enough while in employment to support their families.
• What matters to you and your family and community? For our family, we support reducing poverty through more welfare support and better food programs. We support proper funding for people with disabilities. We want to see more funding for mental health support.
• How do you want the government to spend money? Do you want teachers and nurses and firefighters to be supported? What about school lunches? Children in cold, damp homes or without enough nutritious food are hospitalised more often with preventable illnesses (like respiratory infections) - should funding be directed toward these children?

More info: Child Poverty Action Group has all the information you need for this one. They've created free templates to help people of all ages have their say on how the Government should spend our money.

• Ten and under - Submission template
• Eleven to 17: Submission template
• Adults - Submission template for adults

Before 6 February

Keen to be part of a Waitangi Day event with Tiriti Action Group? Sign up here for more info.

Before 13 February

The Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill

Together, the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill would repeal and replace the Resource Management Act 1992.

Key points to get across:

• I recommend the formal recognition of mana whenua voices and the inclusion of mana whenua in decision-making roles within planning.
• I do not support the changes to public notification of consents and the attempts to shut down public engagement in consents. The requirement that submitters will have to reside in the relevant district or region for something like large-scale mining that impacts all of us, would cut out most environmental organisations and groups. This is an attempt to silence groups that care about our environment and provide important safeguards.
• Protecting our environment, indigenous biodiversity and threatened species should be more of a priority in the bill.
• I do not support the introduction of regulatory relief from councils to landowners as this puts unnecessary pressure on councils who already face rate caps. A consequence could be councils being unable to afford to prioritise the protection of our environment over landowner profits.

More info: I based my submission on the Environment Defence Society's concerns, which you can read about here.

I know nobody wants to be doing submissions when the sun is shining (or you're back at work and not happy about it). But I honestly do think we should start this year as we mean to go on. I am hoping by the end of this year we will not have to do so many submissions because we will have a change of government!

It's going to be a busy year but I am excited to be standing side-by-side with you throughout - as we try to make Aotearoa a country where everyone is safe and supported.

Arohanui, Emily

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