Ngā Take 10 Hei Hainatia i Tēnei Petihana    TOP 10 REASONS TO SIGN THIS PETITION 1. Kua piki haere te haurehu a ngā rangatahi—me tū ngātahi tātou te aukati i tēnei mate urutā. Youth Vaping Epidemic - vaping is spreading fast among rangatahi (young people), and it's becoming a serious health issue. Daily vaping among New Zealand teens has nearly doubled in one year, with 25.2% of 18–24 year-olds now vaping daily. Among Māori youth, this rate is even higher at 21.7% [6].  2. He mōrearea tūturu ki te hauora. The health risks are real — vaping isn’t as safe as purported. Vaping is linked to respiratory conditions, nicotine addiction, and impaired adolescent brain development. Emerging evidence also suggests a potential connection to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular risks (New Zealand Doctor, 2005). [7] 3. Ko ngā kamupene haurehu e  pūpuri ana a tātou mokopuna i te mate. Vape advertising is targeting our kids [7] — and our kids are becoming addicted. It looks nice. It tastes nice. It's addictive. It makes you feel good.  Flavoured vapes, bright packaging, and social media marketing are deliberately designed to attract young users. Some schools in Northland have reported finding children as young as 11 using vapes [8]. 4. Ka nui te utu ka utaina ki te ohanga ā tōna wā roa.  Vaping might look cheap now, but the long-term costs to our health system and communities are massive.  Treating vaping-related health conditions will place a growing strain on our healthcare system and taxpayers. Meanwhile, profits flow largely to multinational tobacco corporations. 5. He pānga kino tō te haurehu ki te taiao. Disposable vapes are polluting our whenua, waterways, and oceans — and they’re piling up fast [9].  6. E whakakāhore ana  ētahi atu kawanatanga o te ao hei ārai ēnei taputapu haurehu,  me pēnei hoki tātou o Aotearoa . Around the world, governments are stepping up to protect young people from vaping. The Cook Islands has demonstrated bold leadership by banning the sale of vapes and raising the smoking age to 21 [10]. We can take bold measures, too. 7. Ka puta mai ngā toa hoko haurehu ki kō, ki kō, ki ngā wāhi pātata ki ngā kura, ki ngā hapori, ki ngā kainga maha. Hanga tōmuri kē ngā ture o te rohe. Vape shops are popping up everywhere — and the rules aren’t keeping up.  As of mid-2023, there were over 1,200 specialist vape retailers registered in New Zealand [11]. Many operate through loopholes such as 'stores within stores,' making regulation difficult and we are now seeing global franchises such as “Shosha” stores penetrate our community. 8. Horekau he ture ā-rohe hei mimiti i ēnei āhuatanga raru ki te hāpori, ki a tātou mokopuna me ngā paru e panaia ki a Papatuānuku. Without local rules, vape shops are popping up everywhere — and our communities, our kids and the environment are at risk : The Far North District Council is currently the only Northland council without a smokefree/vapefree policy for public spaces. This leaves places like playgrounds and beaches unprotected. 9. Ka whakapau taima ngā kaiako te aru haere i ngā take haurehu i roto i ngā kura . Kāhore e pai te haurehu ki te hauora, ki te ako hoki. Vaping in schools isn’t just a health issue — it’s a disruption to education and the school environment. Teachers report vaping as a major disruption, taking time and resources away from learning. 10. Mā te reo kotahi o te hau kainga o Kaikohe o Kaitaia e tīni i ngā āhuatanga tūkino o ngā toa haurehu. Local voices can lead to real change. Let’s make sure our community is heard and protect our rangatahi from vaping. Local voice matters. Our communities should determine the types of businesses allowed to operate here, not corporate interests profiting from addiction. Me tupu pakari a tātou tamariki. Tuhia tō ingoa ki te petihana, āwhinatia mātou ki te tū mō tō rātou anamata. Our kids deserve to grow up safe and strong. Sign the petition and help us stand up for their future. References [1] https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/smoking-and-vaping-among-14-15-year-olds-government-action-urgently-needed [2]https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/undoctored/vaping-causes-incurable-lung-disease-groundbreaking-study-shows [4] https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/04/10/unacceptably-high-sales-to-underage-vape-buyers-revealed/ [5] https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/E-cigarettes_and_teens/  [6] https://www.health.govt.nz/publications/smoking-status-of-daily-vapers-new-zealand-health-survey-201718-to-202122  [7] https://nzmj.org.nz/media/pages/journal/vol-137-no-1589/exposure-to-digital-vape-marketing-among-young-people-in-aotearoa-new-zealand/dc9761c255-1706653375/6317.pdf [8] https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/vaping-in-schools-being-stubbed-out-with-homegrown-northland-lessons/GWARQTN6UFAFRMIFTCFQQZDSBU/  [9] https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/are-disposable-vapes-bad-for-the-environment/  [10] https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/517488/cook-islands-bans-vapes-smoking-age-raised-to-21-if-you-don-t-smoke-you-still-die-opposition-mp-says  [11] https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2024-08/RIS-visibility-of-vape-products-and-proximity-of-Specialist-Vape-Retailers-Redacted.pdf  Further reading J, Erhabor., Z Yao., Erfan Tasdighi, Emelia J Benjamin, Aruni Bhatnagar, Michael J Blaha. 2005. E-cigarette Use and Incident Cardiometabolic Conditions in the All of Us Research Program, Nicotine & Tobacco Research, https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntaf067 

Aotearoa should be a place where people who are in need can access hospitals and get timely treatment, where staff are supported and properly resourced to give quality care. We have the opportunity to ensure that the most medically vulnerable people in our communities are properly supported through their journeys to improved health and wellbeing. New Zealand is facing a health crisis. People are suffering, and some are dying, because they can't access the treatment they need. Our hospitals need to be rebuilt, better resourced and better staffed. New Zealanders deserve a healthcare system that doesn't leave them waiting for months or years just to get the treatment they need; and medical professionals deserve to work in an environment that enables them to deliver the care their patients need and deserve. “We have over a thousand patients that are waiting for either a first specialist appointment or a follow-up appointment. I've never seen that number of patients waiting to be seen." — Dr. Claudia Hays, head of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department at Nelson Marlborough Health [1] “Certainly I have seen patients that I believe their disease has gone from curable to incurable during that waiting time." — Dr Suzanne Beuker, senior doctor and consultant for the Urology Department at Nelson Marlborough Health [1] “Someone put my life at risk by changing my diagnosis. This could’ve damn near killed me.” — Daniel Walker, Nelson patient whose nine-week wait likely increased the spread of his testicular cancer [2] The Government needs to build facilities that are fit for purpose for our aging and growing population. Despite the growing crisis, there is a lack of action. We need a bipartisan approach to healthcare that resolves these issues once and for all. The public needs transparency, information and engagement regarding investigations and reports on these issues; and in particular the independent investigation at Nelson Hospital. Sign this petition and together we can hold the government to account and make sure our hospitals are resourced enough to help our family and friends in need. 

We believe every NZ student deserves fair and equal rights to compete in student sports events, including home-schooled students. School Sports NZ excludes home-schooled students from competing in many local, regional, and national events. Diverse and inclusive sport is a core principle within Sport NZ's strategy and we believe its funding allocations should uphold this. In our opinion, student sports should include every NZ student, no matter their legal education path. 📣 Please Sign and Share this Petition!  Use social media, community groups, and newsletters to spread the word. Thank you! About Homeschooling  Home-schooled students in Aotearoa New Zealand are domestic students regulated by Section 38 of the Education and Training Act 2020 and overseen by the Ministry of Education. Home-schooling families are eligible for a Homeschooling Allowance of between $398–$796 per student, per year from the Ministry of Education.   About HESSA  The Home Educators Student Sports Association (HESSA) is the national body representing the rights of almost 11,000 home-schooled domestic students to compete in sports across Aotearoa New Zealand. HESSA has a strategic focus on ending the exclusion of home-schooled domestic students from competing in secondary-age student sports in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Other Actions You May Like to Take  🏉 Ask Your Sports Club to Support the Cause Encourage clubs to publicly support inclusion and raise the issue with their governing bodies.  🏉 Contact National and Regional Sports Code Bodies Ask them to advocate for policy changes that allow home-schooled domestic students to compete in student sports at all levels.  📨Write to Your Local MP Personalize your message to explain why inclusion in student sports for home-schooled students matters to you. Ask them to raise the issue in Parliament or with the Minister of Sport and Sport NZ. 📨 Write to the Hon Mark Mitchell, Minister of Sport and Recreation Let him know that you support inclusive student sport and ask him to ensure Sport NZ funding reflects this value.  📨 Contact School Sport NZ and Sport NZ Send respectful emails or letters urging them to review their policies and align with inclusive principles.  📨 Engage with Local Councils and Boards of Trustees Encourage them to support inclusive policies in their local sports events and facilities.   References  • HESSA Feedback to SSNZ on Eligibility Criteria Review https://www.hessa.org.nz/newsarticle/152183?newsfeedId=2145584 Media • Stuff Digital (8/6/25) https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360714300/embarrassing-disappointing-awkward-13-year-old-opens-about-being-refused-medal-because-she-home • Paddy Gower - TFN (6/6/25) https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360712256/bedpans-biographer-sale-century • NZME –NZ Herald & Bay of Plenty Times Article (1/6/2025) https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/home-schooled-athletes-to-cycle-800km-to-parliament-seeking-sports-rule-change/3OQ5IT7GSRE5BN73U6V25YA57M/ • Stuff Media – Waikato Times & The Press (24/4/2025) https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360663787/home-schooled-kids-miss-out-bike-competition-medals?fbclid=IwY2xjawKA5MVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFnZm9hcHhKVXV0cXJGdk5aAR598FSFAAWZ4mUWm4vn9p2lknQmKH_mqHwt4U_7NgRh9C6OlgZjNauXgb1sVA_aem_AXBEr093neblFP7p2BW_ig • Radio New Zealand Article &  RNZ Checkpoint Interview (24/4/2025) https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/559030/student-not-given-medal-due-to-being-homeschooled • NZME –NZ Herald & Bay of Plenty Times Article (3/5/2025) https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/tauranga-homeschool-student-stripped-of-biking-competition-medal/AVLBZXW5WNHZ5DFA2VHTZ4RGAU/#google_vignette • Sport NZ – Good Practice Principles https://sportnz.org.nz/media/2012/good-practice-principles-for-the-provision-of-sport-and-recreation-for-young-people.pdf

Covid can have substantial impacts on peoples’ health. Although Covid initially enters the body through the respiratory system, it can affect virtually every bodily system and organ. There are no advantages to catching Covid. Every infection increases the chance of serious damage to the body.[1] Studies show that at least 10% of all Covid infections result in Long Covid, including in children.[2] Long Covid symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, dizziness and headaches, sleep disruption, and anxiety which impact children's school performance and attendance.[3] In particular, too many children and educators are still getting Covid. We shouldn’t be so careless with our taonga. Teachers are most at risk of catching Covid.[4] Too many have had to leave the profession due to Long Covid. Schools are the best place to start deploying better tools to manage airborne diseases, which also include measles and whooping cough. When children acquire infections, they carry them home to their families and into our communities. Māori, Pasifika and disabled people have been especially hard hit by Covid,[5] and we know government response that devolves power to those communities works best. Under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Government has a responsibility to uphold working with Māori in partnership and that is not happening with the Covid response anymore. We know a number of effective strategies to reduce Covid’s spread and it is not acceptable to continue our hands-off approach to Covid. Schools that have taken action regarding clean air have found reduced transmission, healthier school communities, and better student achievement.[6] The three main areas where we can make the biggest impact collectively are: clean air, vaccination, and supporting the health needs of school and ECE communities. A healthy clean air classroom should have five air changes per hour with the exhaled air in the room being replaced with fresh air.[7] Having access to CO2 monitors and portable air cleaners plays a critical role in achieving this. We can use CO2 monitors to check the indoor air quality and respond by opening windows and doors and/or deploying HEPA air filters and HVAC systems. Vaccines have played an important part in combating Covid worldwide. At the moment, the New Zealand government allows only very limited access to regular Covid boosters even though it has been shown that updated vaccines decrease the risk of infection and long-term effects like Long Covid.[8] Isolation and rest protect afflicted individuals and break chains of transmission. People need access to tests as well as adequate sick leave for themselves and to care for family members. With these sorts of measures, we can decrease absences, keep educators and children healthy, and even improve academic achievement. For more information about the importance of clean air in schools, visit the ACA website. Sources: 1.  https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/long-covid-update-threat-continues-demand-strong-response 2. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41579-022-00846-2 3. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/153/3/e2023062570/196606/Postacute-Sequelae-of-SARS-CoV-2-in-Children 4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7615205/ 5. https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/news/2023/01/covid-19-impacts-worse-for-maori-pasifika-and-disabled-people-study-finds 6. https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w30061/w30061.pdf 7. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ventilation/prevention/aim-for-5.html 8. https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2024-09/prop-028-report.pdf Organisations and individuals supporting this campaign: https://raisely-images.imgix.net/aotearoa-covid-action/uploads/signatories-jpg-d177d4.jpg Aotearoa Covid Action ActionStation NZEI Te Riu Roa PPTA ANZMES Long Covid Kids Long Covid Support Aotearoa Awhi Ngā Mātua  Complex Chronic Illness Support Disabled Persons Assembly NZ ME Support 350 Aotearoa  End ASH Now The Air Quality Collective Professor Michael Baker - Director, Public Health Communication Centre Dr Amanda Kvalsvig MBChB, MRCPCH, MSc (Epidemiology), PhD (Epidemiology) John D Potter MBBS PhD, Professor, Center for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington Dr Matire Harwood PhD, FRNZCGP, Toi Whanau Health Ltd. Dr Gary Payinda Dr Ed Hyde Dr David Galler Dr Stuart Ekdahl MBChB FRNZCUC  Dr Siouxsie Wiles MNZM PhD (Microbiology) Dr Anna Stevenson MBChB, FNZCPHM

Signed by Awhi Ngā Mātua, IHC,  Disabled Persons Assembly NZ Inc, Parent to Parent, Disability Connect, Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, NZEI Te Riu Roa, Parents of Vision Impaired PVINZ, iFUNZ, NATINA Neuroscience And Trauma Informed Network Aotearoa, ASD Dads NZ, VIPS Equity in Education, Flying Kites, Empower Learning Project, Inclusive Performance Academy, Fragile X New Zealand, NZ Disability Advisory Trust Inc, United Community Action Network (UCAN),  Te Aka Tauira - Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association, Auckland Action Against Poverty, United Community Action Network, Project Gender, ActionStation, The Angelman Network, Fairer Future Collaboration,  Aotearoa Liberation League, Little Shadow, Te Kura o Hāpuku, System Change Aotearoa, NZ Disability Advisory Trust Inc., Supporting Diversity, Whakaata Tohu Tohu | Mirror Services, Justice and Peace Commission Catholic Diocese of Auckland, Standards and Monitoring Services, Chrome Collective Charitable Trust, Willow Corner, Kahu Hurihia Durie Family Trust, Barbarian Productions Ltd., Pōneke Anti-Fascist Coalition,Lead Aware NZ, Northern Monthly Meeting, the Auckland and Northland branch of  the Religious Society of Friends in Aotearoa/ New Zealand (Quakers) Te Hāhi Tūhauwiri.

To make this vision a reality, we urge the Government to remove the 10-year condition for Parent Resident Visa holders and align their pathway to permanent residency with the 2-year standard used for other residency categories. This change would ensure fairness, reduce unnecessary hardships, and foster stronger family and community connections across Aotearoa. We need your support to make this change happen!  Please sign and share this petition with your friends and family to help us create a fair and inclusive pathway for Parent Resident Visa holders. Together, we can build a more united and compassionate Aotearoa.

All people should have the right to freedom, safety and self-determination. Whether we live in Nelson or Palestine, feeling at peace and safe in our homes is essential to living happy lives. To know that the gardens and orchards our families have tended over generations will still be here to nourish our children.  We all deserve these rights yet right now families in Palestine live in constant threat of being targeted by the Israeli military, pushed out of their homes and persecuted for being Palestinian. Since 1967 many Palestinian homes, gardens and orchards have been bulldozed or cleared for Israeli settlers.  We seek that the Nelson City Council align their procurement policy with United Nations Resolution 2334, and the obligations placed on member states by that resolution. Israel is currently in breach of many international laws. Israel is illegally occupying Palestinian territory (2, 3). UN resolution 2334 refers to the territory held by Palestine in 1967 and the illegal occupation of that territory by Israel.  As an occupier state, Israel has legal obligations to protect Palestinians who live in their territory. Israel is in breach of these obligations by directly targeting and harming Palestinian civilians.  UN resolution 2334 requests that Israel cease all settlement activities in the occupied territory. In support of this, Clause 5 of the resolution calls upon all states to distinguish between the territory of the state of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967 in all dealings with the region.  The Resolution was put forward by and voted in favour of by the New Zealand government under the leadership of the National Party in 2016 (4). Subsequently, in February 2020 the United Nations published a database of over 100 companies it considered were doing business in the Israeli settlements. On 1 July 2023, the United Nations reviewed the list and removed 15 companies from the list due to them having halted activity in the Israeli settlements.  United Nations Resolution 2334 declared that all member states should not deal with organisations doing business in the illegally occupied Palestinian Territories, this includes Aotearoa/New Zealand.  We call on our local government to align its procurement policy with UN resolution 2334. References: 1. https://www.un.org/webcast/pdfs/SRES2334-2016.pdf 2. https://www.icj-cij.org/node/204176 3. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/07/experts-hail-icj-declaration-illegality-israels-presence-occupied 4. https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/media-and-resources/un-security-council-adopts-historic-resolution-on-israeli-settlements

Aotearoa New Zealand should be a place where young people can experience life and make memories while being safe and protected. Wellington should be a city where our young people can have fun in a safe environment, without the fear of harm.  Sadly, that’s not the case. A recent Salient survey revealed 75% of students have felt unsafe in a Wellington nightclub, and many highlighted concerning safety issues they'd faced travelling to and from the city at night and the lack of safe transport options. [2,3] “I can’t walk on Courtney without feeling like I need to constantly be watching my back” -Rachel (22) Young people and our communities know what the issues are and what solutions will work for us. That's why we want WCC to work with us - especially those that are often the target of harm such as our ethnic communities, queer communities, disabled communities and more.  We are asking them to: • Commit to a project for young people's safety and wellbeing • Centre young people's leadership by co-creating it with us • Provide funding to enable young people's involvement and participation in the process  • Funding pathways for intercultural cohesion through education and community building We truly believe that a wide-scale cross-community project would be a great first step for youth wellbeing and safety. We would start by engaging with communities on things that impact our safety - like transport, de-escalation skills, nightlife culture, safe spaces, accessibility, and cultural attitudes.  In the meantime, there are already some solutions the WCC could action now, such as: • Increase funding for Take10 to include more safe spaces in and around Cuba street - Courtenay place area • Require all liquor licence holders to ensure their staff are trained in de-escalation training • Create teams of trained professionals that can go from venue to venue and make sure that people in need are cared for, including providing drug and alcohol harm reduction information and support • Train up more wardens from affected communities to be present in the inner city areas over the weekend nights, to help increase safety • Free and accessible transport  • Free wi-fi and public accessible charging stations  Why now? Mayor Tory Whanau has asked for a refreshed city safety plan now that the Pōneke Promise is coming to an end.[6] We want to make sure the new plan includes a project focussed on the wellbeing and safety of our young people, and reducing harm in the inner city.  In late 2020, local communities raised concerns about the safety in central Wellington. At the start of 2021 the Wellington Alliance Against Sexual Violence - a coalition of youth-led organisations hosted a rally on Courtney place calling on WCC and its partners to prioritise sexual violence prevention. [3,4] WCC listened and created Pōneke Promise which widened its focus on making ‘central Wellington safe, vibrant and welcoming”[5] Now that a new plan is being made, we need to make sure WCC listens to our communities again and delivers what we as young people need - Safer streets! Join us and together we can create a better future for young people! Acknowledgment We would like to acknowledge Luke Smith. Who we lost too early and who brought us all together to fight for a better future for our young people. Because of Luke Smith we are demanding that the wellbeing and the safety of our young people are put as priority by the Wellington City Council.  This petition we created in consultation with Luke Smith’s family. If you would like to support the family in bringing their son back home to South African for his funeral please click here for their givealittle. Interview with bFM: https://95bfm.com/bcast/get-action-protect-our-youth-make-wellington%E2%80%99s-streets-safe-w-rachel-jaboon-from-vasda  References 1. https://www.salient.org.nz/post/safety-and-harassment-in-wellington-s-clubs 2. https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/350352650/unwanted-groping-part-student-culture-city-bars  3. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/there-is-no-excuse-hundreds-turn-out-to-protest-against-sexual-violence-in-wellington/7AEJB5VQY7BJ6VB67MEFU47BVU/ 4. https://wellington.govt.nz/-/media/community-support-and-resources/community-safety/files/sexual-violence-prevention/sexual-violence-prevention-roadmap.pdf 5. https://wellington.govt.nz/community-support-and-resources/safety-in-wellington/the-poneke-promise  6. https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/350356298/inner-city-safety-plan-be-updated-after-students-report-feeling-unsafe

The Tawa On Demand bus service provides vital access to local services for those living up on our steep hills, and enables a car-free commute for those working in town. It supports families and people with limited mobility, reduces traffic and emissions, and improves social cohesion. The service has exceeded expectations, with consistent usage and 96% customer satisfaction. Without continued support from GWRC, the service will have to stop at the end of this year. We’re asking GWRC to commit to funding sustainable public transport within Tawa - whether that’s the existing Tawa On Demand service, a scheduled service, or a mixture of the two, and to asking the Government to help out.

We all want Aotearoa New Zealand to be a place where everyone can thrive. Certainly a place where survivors of abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions can thrive. We know that what has happened to the estimated 250,000 vulnerable adults, children, and babies is a “national disgrace” according to Judge Coral Shaw, former Chair of the Abuse in Care Royal Commision of Inquiry.  The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Final Report, Whanaketia: Through pain and trauma, from darkness to light, has 138 recommendations to improve the State Care system, Faith-based Institutions and other departments that have worked with some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable people [1]. The Interim Report, He Purapura Ora, he Māra Tipu from Redress to Puretumu Torowhānui, has 95 Holistic Recommendations to improve the current redress systems (Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Health, Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children and Ministry of Education) for survivors of abuse in care [2]. Summary of the recommendations are: • expansion of oranga, or wellbeing, services and support services for survivors and their whānau • increased financial payments for survivors • training for those working with survivors • establishment of a listening service  • development of processes for referring allegations of abuse to other agencies • better monitoring of, and reporting on, abuse and systemic issues • memorials and other projects to honour survivors and remember abuse • enactment of a right to be free from abuse in care, as well as a duty to protect this right • an exception to accident compensation legislation • changes to laws relating to civil litigation  • a review of legal aid rates  • a model litigant policy for the Crown • improvements to the handling of survivors’ requests for records, including as few redactions of survivors’ records as possible • a review of record-creation and record-keeping practices. The Abuse in Care Inquiry has been in progress for the past six years. This is the largest inquiry into abuse in care that Aotearoa New Zealand has ever had. These reports from the inquiry shed light on the harrowing and horrific experiences that survivors faced while in the care of the state and faith-based institutions, and emphasise the profound impact that abuse has had on survivors’ lives. Now is the time for action: for people across Aotearoa to come together and be part of the process that ensures that survivors in Aotearoa can thrive.  By signing this petition, you are standing up for the rights of survivors and sending a clear message to the Crown: They have a duty of care to survivors, and a duty to implement all of the recommendations from the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry. Together, let's ensure that survivors are supported.  Join us in this crucial fight by signing the petition today and spreading the word to your friends, family, and community. Together, we can make a difference and safeguard the future of care and help survivors of abuse in State and Faith-based Care to thrive.  _________ Additional information and references: In February 2018, former Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, and former Minister for Internal Affairs, Tracey Martin, announced that there would be a Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse in care [3]. However, the formal work of the inquiry didn’t commence until January 2019.  Since 2019, the Inquiry has conducted a number of Hearings [4]: • September to October 2020 - State Redress Hearing held  • November to December 2020 - Faith-based Redress (Phase 1) Hearing held • March 2021 - Faith-based Redress (Phase 2) Hearing held • May 2021 - Children's State Residential Hearing held • June 2021 - Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit Hearing held • July 2021 - Tulou - Our Pacific Voices: Tatala e Pulonga (Pacific People's Experiences) Hearing held • February 2022 - Marylands school (St John of God) Hearing held • March 2022 - Tō muri the p`o Roa, tērā a Pokopoko White-te-raa (Māori Experiences) Hearing held • June 2022 - Foster Care Hearing held • July 2022 - Ūhia te Māramatanga Disability, Deaf and Mental Health Institutional Care Hearing Held • August 2022 - State Institutional Response Hearing held • October 2022 - Faith-based Institutions Response Hearing held  The final report of the Inquiry was presented to the Governor General, Her Excellency The Right Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro GNZM, QSO on 25 June 2024, and released publicly following the tabling of the Final Report in the House of Representatives on 24 July 2024 [5].     1 - https://www.abuseincare.org.nz/reports/whanaketia 2 - https://www.abuseincare.org.nz/reports/from-redress-to-puretumu/ 3 - https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/inquiry-abuse-state-care 4 - https://www.abuseincare.org.nz/about-us/timeline/ 5 - Parliament Video | New Zealand Parliament videos.parliament.nz    *Disclaimer: more information will be provided in the Updates section Image credit: Designed by artist Ruby Jones in collaboration with Karah Mackie and survivors of abuse in care

This issue is undeniably important to New Zealand, especially in the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque shootings.  It is a matter which implicates the lives of many people including school children, vulnerable communities such as the Muslim community and the LGBTQ+ community, as well as those struggling with their mental health. By making it harder to access semi-automatic weapons, we are able to increase the safety of everyone.   It is clear from observing other countries, especially the United States, that unrestricted access to semi-automatic weapons leads to violence and division. While it may not seem likely that slight changes to gun laws in Aotearoa could have a large effect, one must remember two key points: firstly, that the Christchurch shooter obtained his weapon completely legally; and secondly, that the state of mental health support in Aotearoa is abysmal. Without treating this second point, something which the current government seems to have no real intention of doing, allowing even slightly looser access to semi-automatics is a massive safety risk. It provides a space for a dangerous weapon to leave the hands of an ordinary person and fall into the hands of somebody with ill intentions. Even if there are only non-regular incidents of gun violence following these law changes, the fate of the dead and injured will be in the government’s hands.  While the proposed changes are on the surface somewhat innocent - aiming to rectify the difficulty of some recreational gun users in carrying out their hobby - it carries a confusing sense of urgency and secrecy for a process which by all accounts should be taken as slowly, carefully, and yes, even bureaucratically as possible. Consultation should expand to include the opinions of the entirety of Aotearoa, not just select groups of individuals. I think it is naive to expect that these changes will only affect a small number of people. It would be unsurprising if this was only the beginning of a series of changes to gun laws in Aotearoa; Nicole Mckee, the Minister in charge of the reform, is a former gun lobbyist who may be interested in emulating the gun culture in the United States.  About me I am a year 13 student from Kapiti College who is concerned about gun safety in Aotearoa. I believe in maintaining a peaceful and safe society for everyone, regardless of their background or beliefs. As a young person in Aotearoa, I want to feel confident that the government is making decisions that prioritise the safety and well-being of all communities, rather than catering to a few special interest groups. Any changes to our gun laws must be done with full transparency and public consultation. I believe that by opening up the conversation, we can come to a solution that balances the needs of recreational gun users with the safety concerns of the wider population. I urge Minister Nicole Mckee and the coalition government to release the consultation document and ensure that any changes to our gun laws are made with the input of the public, the police, and those most affected by gun violence. Together, we can build a safer Aotearoa.

Peters’ recent comments misrepresented the facts surrounding athletes Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting and the broader debate on gender and sports. His assertions, based on misleading information and lacking in scientific and factual accuracy, highlight a dangerous trend of disinformation that threatens the integrity of public discourse and undermines trust in democratic institutions. Disinformation is a deliberate attempt to mislead and manipulate public opinion, often with harmful consequences. It obscures the truth, incites fear, and distracts from meaningful, evidence-based discussions. When such disinformation is propagated by elected officials, it not only betrays the principles of honesty and transparency but also erodes the foundational values of democracy. We urge Parliament to: 1. Strengthen Regulations and Oversight: Develop and implement stronger regulations to address the spread of disinformation by public officials. This includes establishing clear guidelines against misinformation and disinformation in the Cabinet Manual and codes of conduct for elected representatives to enhance accountability and integrity in public discourse. 2. Promote Transparency and Truth: Support initiatives that enhance transparency and truthfulness in public statements and media coverage. Encourage public figures to adhere to high standards of factual accuracy and integrity. 3. Foster Public Awareness and Education: Invest in educational programs that help citizens critically evaluate information and recognize disinformation. This includes supporting media literacy programs that equip the public with the skills to discern credible information from falsehoods. 4. Encourage Responsible Communication: Advocate for a culture of responsible communication among public officials and political leaders. Promote ethical standards that prioritize the well-being of citizens over political gain. By addressing the issue of disinformation head-on, Parliament can help restore public trust, uphold democratic values, and ensure that public discourse is grounded in truth and respect. We urge you to take immediate action to combat the spread of misleading information and protect the integrity of our democratic processes. Further Reading: Peters delivers self-uppercut with cynical boxing claims