Say NO to The Gene Technology Bill
14,458 New Zealanders made submissions on the Gene Technology Bill — and 14,023 of them (97%) said NO. But more than 4.1 million adults stayed silent. Silence is what allows politicians to ignore us. It’s time to change that.
The Health Select Committee has now released its report. Despite overwhelming opposition, it has recommended the Bill be passed. Why? Because those 14,458 voices add up to just 0.36% of New Zealand’s adult population. For MPs, that makes it easy to dismiss as a “vocal minority.”
👉 This is the reality: even when nearly every submission rejects a proposal, politicians can brush it aside if the wider public doesn’t join in.
So here’s the challenge for all of us — GE-free groups, organic advocates, local food co-ops, health communities, environmental networks: we must raise awareness, mobilize beyond our circles, and make far more noise.
Imagine if instead of 14,458 submissions, there had been 150,000. Or half a million. That would be impossible to ignore.
⚠️ And remember: this is not a done deal. The Bill still has to pass further stages in the House before it becomes law. That means there’s still time to act.
Now is the time to get vocal:
📣 Contact MPs directly
www3.parliament.nz...
💬 Flood social media with concern
🎙️ Use old-school talkback radio to reach those who aren’t online
If we want to protect our food, our farms, and our future, we can’t just rely on a few thousand engaged voices. We need a movement too loud to dismiss.
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.1% Yes
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46.9% No
Aucklanders, we want to know: How are you feeling about the current property market?
New Zealand homeowners are now more likely to sell at a loss than at any time since 2013, and if you’re in Auckland or Wellington, the odds are even higher.
But there is a silver lining: buyers are still in a strong position when it comes to negotiating prices.
So we’re curious…
How are you feeling about the current property market?
If you’re keen to dive into the details, Deborah Morris breaks down all the latest insights.
‘Tis the season to not get scammed ...
As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.
Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.
There are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe doing online trades this holiday season, says Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Dalton.
🔒 “A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created. If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”
🔒 Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up. “We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member - that’s a huge red flag."
🔒 “When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through."
🔒 “Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage."
🔒 "If you’re buying a car, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”
A reminder: Suspicious activity can be reported on 105
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