Dr Dean Knight
@drdeanknight.bsky.social
⟦ law + govt ⟧ ⟦ coffee + kai ⟧ ⟦ critic + conscience ⟧ ⟦ rugby + rugby ⟧ ⟦ rainbows + unicorns ⟧ — usual disclaimers apply
Folk may wish to note that the vetting of legislation for compliance with te Tiriti / the Treaty (and justification if not) is already hard-wired into the Cabinet processes for law-making, along with other higher-order norms etc.
October 4, 2026 at 11:33 PM
Folk may wish to note that the vetting of legislation for compliance with te Tiriti / the Treaty (and justification if not) is already hard-wired into the Cabinet processes for law-making, along with other higher-order norms etc.
Nonsense. In this context, the tribunal’s claims are only recommendatory. In other words, it is up to the Crown and Parliament (rightly or wrongly) whether it heeds the advice of the tribunal or not.
October 4, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Nonsense. In this context, the tribunal’s claims are only recommendatory. In other words, it is up to the Crown and Parliament (rightly or wrongly) whether it heeds the advice of the tribunal or not.
The Act/NZF manifesto proposals to abolish the Waitangi Tribunal or end its contemporary claims jurisdiction are concerning for a number of reasons. Esp troubling is the claim (here eg from NZF) that the tribunal is interfering in the law-making process in an undemocratic way.
October 4, 2026 at 10:10 PM
The Act/NZF manifesto proposals to abolish the Waitangi Tribunal or end its contemporary claims jurisdiction are concerning for a number of reasons. Esp troubling is the claim (here eg from NZF) that the tribunal is interfering in the law-making process in an undemocratic way.
Pleased to see policy here addressing scourge of urgency etc -- esp post-enactment scrutiny for expedited laws, which I've been promoting for a while.
While I'm supportive of an elevated threshold for urgency, I'm disappointed 100-day plan policies are exempted.
www.labour.org.nz/news/speech-...
While I'm supportive of an elevated threshold for urgency, I'm disappointed 100-day plan policies are exempted.
www.labour.org.nz/news/speech-...
October 1, 2026 at 1:19 AM
Pleased to see policy here addressing scourge of urgency etc -- esp post-enactment scrutiny for expedited laws, which I've been promoting for a while.
While I'm supportive of an elevated threshold for urgency, I'm disappointed 100-day plan policies are exempted.
www.labour.org.nz/news/speech-...
While I'm supportive of an elevated threshold for urgency, I'm disappointed 100-day plan policies are exempted.
www.labour.org.nz/news/speech-...
And, with that, Parliament is dissolved. #❤️democracy
September 30, 2026 at 10:14 PM
And, with that, Parliament is dissolved. #❤️democracy
September 30, 2026 at 9:44 PM
From Upston earlier today.
Has anyone fact checked and filled in the gaps?
Has anyone fact checked and filled in the gaps?
September 23, 2026 at 9:38 AM
From Upston earlier today.
Has anyone fact checked and filled in the gaps?
Has anyone fact checked and filled in the gaps?
September 21, 2026 at 3:27 AM
On why that’s no comfort, see the IPCA’s findings re breach of peace and protest.
www.ipca.govt.nz/download/168...
www.ipca.govt.nz/download/168...
September 19, 2026 at 8:26 AM
On why that’s no comfort, see the IPCA’s findings re breach of peace and protest.
www.ipca.govt.nz/download/168...
www.ipca.govt.nz/download/168...
The point was well made by the Council for Civil Liberties in their submission.
September 19, 2026 at 6:00 AM
The point was well made by the Council for Civil Liberties in their submission.
It’s meant to be about address antisocial road use — but the legislation is so broad that it could be used to shut down protests in public places etc.
September 19, 2026 at 5:57 AM
It’s meant to be about address antisocial road use — but the legislation is so broad that it could be used to shut down protests in public places etc.
Saturday afternoon in Parliament and legislation is being passed under urgency that has the potential to adversely affect our protest rights.
September 19, 2026 at 5:55 AM
Saturday afternoon in Parliament and legislation is being passed under urgency that has the potential to adversely affect our protest rights.
Our final substantive session with our Hons folk in public law @vicuniwgtn.bsky.social — a writing workshop. 3min thesis style presentations, based on their second full draft papers, and then a Q&A on worries and queries relating to style, editing and story-telling etc. 🤓
September 19, 2026 at 1:51 AM
Our final substantive session with our Hons folk in public law @vicuniwgtn.bsky.social — a writing workshop. 3min thesis style presentations, based on their second full draft papers, and then a Q&A on worries and queries relating to style, editing and story-telling etc. 🤓
Curious about this FENZ brouhaha and minister’s loss of confidence in CE for failing to alert her to a serious matter. Yet, given FENZ is a Crown agent, the primary accountability is between the minister and the board? It all looks messy. But I can’t see how no surprises applies to CE—minister?
September 17, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Curious about this FENZ brouhaha and minister’s loss of confidence in CE for failing to alert her to a serious matter. Yet, given FENZ is a Crown agent, the primary accountability is between the minister and the board? It all looks messy. But I can’t see how no surprises applies to CE—minister?
PS I’m delaying the just released new series of Slow Horses for this… 🤦🏼♂️
September 16, 2026 at 8:28 AM
PS I’m delaying the just released new series of Slow Horses for this… 🤦🏼♂️
A cheeky sweet wine as a treat, as I watch the ugly bill pass through the Committee of the Whole. 🍷
September 16, 2026 at 8:09 AM
A cheeky sweet wine as a treat, as I watch the ugly bill pass through the Committee of the Whole. 🍷