Education is essential to our community’s future. Everyone who wants to increase knowledge and skills should have the opportunity to learn. NorthTec isn't just a campus, this is the heart of our region, upskilling in tertiary and vocational education in Te Tai Tokerau. NorthTec is Under Threat - Te Tai Tokerau Needs Your Voice! NorthTec was built to serve our people, but now our future is on the line. If proposed cuts go ahead, we risk losing: • Teachers/Kaiako - the heart of our classrooms • Librarians - keeping knowledge alive • The Student Café - a hub for connection   • Student Voice - silencing the voices of ākonga • Student Support Services - academic and pastoral • Disability + Health Services  • Administration and support services (ICT, Marketing, Enrollments, Registrar, Business) • Academic Programmes - admin coordination are the heart of front line delivery • Regional Campuses must stay open with support services • International Students  These proposed cuts will isolate learners, strip away support and threaten the mana of vocational education in Te Tai Tokerau. Sign now, share this amongst whanau and friends and stand with us here at NorthTec/Te Pūkenga. Your signature adds strength to our movement, join us.

Everyone in our community deserves to be housed. People should have agency over their housing, and it should be accessible and designed based on how people want to live. This would strengthen our communities, make life easier for whānau and provide the stability needed for a thriving city. But successive governments have not done enough to make sure everyone in our community has a suitable housing. Now, the National-led Government plan to sell off state housing and make it less available to our communities. This will lead to more people living in unaffordable and unsuitable private rentals, in their cars and on the streets. It also means that land will be privatised that should otherwise be returned to hapū and iwi for Māori housing solutions. In Whangārei we have:  - 540 households on the Housing Register in Whangārei  - 1,971 people experiencing Severe Housing Deprivation (homelessness) Census 2023 (this has likely grown since data was collected) - And still, this National government has decided to cancel 26 developments, 322 homes that were in the pipeline, that would've housed whānau in need We know from our own history and from overseas, that when governments play a bigger role in building and providing decent and suitable housing, we lay the foundation for thriving communities. We have built state housing at scale as a solution before, and we can do it again. We are calling on MP for Whangārei, Shane Reti to advocate for the people of our city to ensure that everyone in Whangārei has a decent and stable home and stop the sell off. Cancelled developments: • Rupert Clark Rd, Whau Valley (5 homes);  • Wilkinson Ave, Kamo (5 homes) Paramount Pde, Tikipunga (10 homes);  • Paramount Pde & Hawea Pl, Tikipunga (20 homes);  • Tamingi St & Tiki Pl, Ruakaka (29 homes);  • Clark Rd & Griffin St, Kamo (12 homes)  • Chester and Ross (9 homes, 17 homes & 18 homes in three separate projects)  • Vinegar Hill Rd (13 homes);  • Vinegar Hill Rd & Balmoral Rd (9 homes);  • Weaver & Moody Ave (12 homes)  • Kamo Rd & McKintock St (15 homes) • Third Ave and Second Ave (33 homes);  • Vinegar Hill Rd, Thomas St, Steere Pl (30 homes);  • Aratiatia Pl (9 homes);  • Heretaunga St (6 homes);  • Meadow Park Cres (3 homes & 3 homes in two separate projects);  • Jack St (5 homes);  • William Jones Drive (12 homes);  • Thomas St (15 homes);  • Thomas St, Tikipunga (9 homes);  • Tiki Pl & Peter Snell Rd, Ruakaka (18 homes)

Fossil fuels are the biggest driver of climate change—and just like tobacco, they’re harming our health, our environment, and our future. Yet fossil fuel companies continue to run ads and sponsorships that mislead the public and delay climate action. It’s time to stop the greenwashing. Just as Aotearoa once led the world in banning tobacco advertising, we must now ban fossil fuel ads and sponsorships. Other countries like France, the Netherlands, and the UK are already doing it. Local councils in Australia have joined in too[1]. Here in Aotearoa, companies like Z Energy are under fire for deceptive climate marketing[2]. We can’t allow fossil fuel giants to shape the public narrative while continuing to pollute. We urge you to support a national ban on fossil fuel advertising and sponsorships. Join us in building a safer, healthier, climate-resilient Aotearoa. Please sign the petition and share it with your friends and family  References [1] fossiladban.org/learn/ [2] www.consumer.org.nz/articles/z-energy-continues-the-business-of-greenwashing-as-its-emissions-rise  

Why is this important? Auckland should be a city built for people, not for cars - no matter where you live everyone should be able to access great, affordable, and reliable public transport. Every Aucklander knows traffic is out of hand and only getting worse Aucklanders spend more than 80 hours a year in traffic on average[1]. It costs the city more than $2billion dollars a year in lost productivity. An estimated 2,247 premature deaths, 9,400 hospitalizations and 13,200 cases of childhood asthma come from vehicle emissions per year in Aotearoa[2]. Transport makes up 39% of Aotearoa's greenhouse gas emissions[3]. It's also expensive: $7,000 a year to maintain a car, and New Zealand has by some measures the highest car ownership in the world. As Auckland continues to grow it is important that we give people alternatives to car ownership. Trains, Buses and Ferries that are all well connected and affordable can make a huge difference. We know this because it happened before. Back in 1955 when the tram system still existed in Auckland, 58% of trips were made via public transport - now in 2025 it’s down to 5%.  It is time to build cities for people and not for cars - sign this petition and together we can make a change!   If it's there people use it: in 1955 when the tram system still existed in Auckland, 58% of trips were made by public transport. Now it's just 5%. 40% of commuters from the North shore now use the Northern Expressway buses. It is possible to build a city for people rather than cars. References 1 https://at.govt.nz/media/pqxhk3cn/auckland-transport-cost-of-congestion-white-paper.pdf 2 https://www.esr.cri.nz/media/edmf0i4c/esr-environmental-health-report-public-health-risks-transport-emissions.pdf 3 https://environment.govt.nz/publications/aotearoa-new-zealands-first-emissions-reduction-plan/transport/

Restoring this vital rail link would benefit over 750,000 people by providing an affordable and accessible alternative to air travel and long-distance coaches, which older and disabled passengers often find inaccessible. It would reduce reliance on private vehicles, improving road safety. Reintroducing this service would boost regional economies, uplift tourism in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful and under-served regions, and build a more connected and equitable transport network for all.

We care about this because names like Moturoa carry deep meaning. They tell stories about the land, the people, and the history of Pōneke that often go untold. When the council puts up a second sign that explains the Māori name, it shows respect for te reo Māori and acknowledges the mana of the name. It helps everyone to understand that these places didn’t start with colonisation. Other streets like Honiana Te Puni and Te Wharepouri already have bilingual signs. Moturoa deserves the same. This change will ensure our city reflects the full richness of its history. It might seem like a small thing, but it sends a big message: that Māori stories and names matter, and they belong here proudly, permanently, and visibly.

Aotearoa should be a place where people are encouraged and supported by their government to engage in democratic processes. Where usage of plain language in documents is encouraged, and people have the ability to understand their rights within seconds no matter where they come from or what their background is.  Right now our government has chosen to treat accessible language differently to other equitable measures by excluding Plain Language from their budget.  Although plain language is a less tangible concept, the importance of it to people across Aotearoa is no less vital than having wheelchair ramps in public buildings, or sign language interpreters during emergency broadcasts. Simple, easy to read language helps our more vulnerable groups in Aotearoa to receive fair treatment in all sectors of government.  Over 1.3 million adult New Zealanders have low literacy/numeracy skills, with Māori and Pacific peoples significantly overrepresented in this group. This leads to higher barriers in employment, health, income, and civic engagement for these communities[1].  Furthermore, up to 10% of New Zealanders have communication issues, including difficulties that directly affect reading, writing, or understanding official information. There are also more than 11,530 children with swallowing difficulties, 95,000 people with autism, and 60,000 children with auditory processing disorder, all conditions that can impact effective engagement with complex or non-plain language content[2].   Plain language is also a vital tool for older generations, many of whom are navigating digital systems and filling out important forms independently, often without someone to assist them. Keeping Plain Language requirements in legislation means everyone is considered when the government publishes information.  By taking it away, the government is forgetting why it was put into place: to keep all of us in the loop.  No one should have to spend hours filling out and decoding benefit forms, immigration forms, justice information, or health information. The budget we pay for should work for us, too.  Now is the time for us to take action that will protect our most marginalised brothers and sisters. Action that allows for everyone to be part of the conversation, and puts equitable care at the heart of our government's services.  References: 1. An Empirical Portrait of New Zealand Adults Living With Low Literacy and Numeracy Skills. AUT NZ Pathways Research Institute. 2022: https://nzpri.aut.ac.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/522827/An-empirical-portrait-of-New-Zealand-adults-living-with-low-literacy-and-numeracy-skills_report.pdf 2. Communication and Swallowing Disabilities in New Zealand: Data Fact Sheet 2023. Speech-language Therapists New Zealand. 2023: https://speechtherapy.org.nz/assets/Uploads/SLT-Business-Case-2024/Communication-and-Swallowing-Disabilities-in-New-Zealand-Data-Fact-Sheet.pdf?vid=4

The Flag of the Kingdom of Tonga is a sacred emblem of our nation’s identity, sovereignty, and unity. It embodies the sacrifices of our ancestors, the pride of our people, and the values enshrined in our Constitution. While the Constitution and the Tonga Royal Arms and Flag Act (1962) protect the flag from alteration, there is currently no law preventing its use on commercial products without the consent of the Government of Tonga. As a result, the flag has been used by private companies, often overseas, for profit, without respect for cultural significance and without benefit to the people of Tonga. Our Concerns • Cultural integrity: The flag is being printed on merchandise that contradicts cultural beliefs and values such as footwear, some apparel, and novelty items, diminishing its dignity. • Economic loss: Profits from these items often flow offshore, with no return to Tonga’s economy or people. • Lack of legal recourse: Current laws do not cover the commercial exploitation of the national flag. We call on the Government of Tonga to: 1. Amend the Copyright Act 2002 to include explicit protection for the national flag, prohibiting its use for commercial purposes without prior government consent. 2. Amend the Tonga Royal Arms and Flag Act (1962) to extend similar protections to the national flag as are afforded to the Royal Ensign and Coat of Arms. 3. Establish a licensing and approval process for any commercial use of the flag, ensuring such use aligns with cultural values and national interests. 4. Introduce enforcement mechanisms and appropriate penalties for unauthorized commercial use, both domestically and internationally, where possible. 5. Launch a public awareness campaign to educate businesses and the public about the proper and respectful use of the national flag. International Precedents Other nations have successfully implemented legal protections for their flags and culturally significant symbols, including: • Australia: Copyright protection and licensing for the Aboriginal flag. • Canada: Prohibits commercial use of the national flag without consent. • South Africa: Trademark protection of the flag’s design. WIPO (SA), Gov.Za, fiav.org Tonga can adopt a similar approach to safeguard our national symbol. The Tongan flag is a national symbol of indigeneity and sovereignty of identity.  This is not a logo for sale; it is a living symbol of our heritage, sovereignty, and shared future. We, the undersigned, urge the Government of Tonga to act decisively to protect it for generations to come.

No matter who we are, or where we come from, we all deserve to live a life of dignity, free of pain and struggle. A life where we are believed and we have access to the care that we need. However, there are thousands of us every day who live in the abrupt edges of medical understanding and right now, there are far too many women, girls, and people assigned female at birth are being dismissed, misdiagnosed, or denied access to the care and support they need. [3][6]. At least one in seven women, girls, and people assigned female at birth in Aotearoa live with endometriosis (mate kirikopu), a chronic and often disabling inflammatory condition that causes pelvic pain, fatigue, infertility, and damage to multiple organs [1][10]. Despite this, most with endometriosis (mate kirikopu)are not being taken seriously by our health system. The national endometriosis (mate kirikopu) guidelines, last released in 2020 by the Ministry of Health, were never intended to be formal clinical guidance [11]. They are not mandatory, they are missing key protections, and they are letting them fall through the cracks. The current guidelines are not fit for purpose, they are outdated, non-binding, and were never designed to function as formal clinical guidelines. In practice, this leaves women, girls, and people assigned female at birth with endometriosis (mate kirikopu) facing inconsistent care, delayed diagnoses, and limited access to the treatment they need to live full, healthy lives. The current guidance lacks clear timeframes for action, formal referral pathways, youth-specific approaches, accountability mechanisms, and adequate inclusion of Māori, Pasifika, LGBTQIA+, and disabled communities. Too often, those with endometriosis (mate kirikopu) are passed between GPs and emergency departments for years without answers. The average time to diagnosis in Aotearoa is still 7 to 10 years [2][7]. That means they are missing school, losing jobs, giving up dreams of having tamariki, or falling into depression and isolation before they are even believed [3][5][6]. For marginalised groups, the situation is even worse. Young people, Māori, Pasifika, disabled and gender-diverse people are more likely to be dismissed, misdiagnosed, or denied access to care. [3][6]. That means many healthcare providers don’t follow it, and there are no consequences when patients are ignored, misdiagnosed, or left untreated. We need more than just suggestions. We need mandatory, enforceable standards that every health provider in Aotearoa must follow. We need guidelines that uphold mana, affirm lived experience, and work for all, not just a privileged few who can afford private care or know how to fight the system. Studies show that: • The impacts of Endometriosis (mate kirikopu) go far beyond physical pain, impacting mental health, daily functioning, and overall wellbeing with those affected • Up to 98% of women, girls, and people assigned female at birth with endometriosis (mate kirikopu) experience symptoms of depression, and around 87% experience anxiety [1]. These mental health struggles are often made worse by diagnostic delays, medical gaslighting, and lack of access to effective treatment and support [2][3]. • Women, girls, and people assigned female at birth with endometriosis (mate kirikopu) report a significantly reduced quality of life compared to the general population, especially in the areas of physical function, emotional wellbeing, sexual health, and work productivity [4][5]. This is not just due to pain, but also the psychological toll of being dismissed, misdiagnosed, or ignored by the healthcare system [3][6]. • Research also shows that youth with endometriosis (mate kirikopu)-like symptoms are often told their pain is normal, resulting in long-term harm to mental health, school attendance, and body trust [7]. Without guidelines that address these impacts holistically and offer clear, equitable pathways to care, women, girls, and people assigned female at birth will continue to fall through the cracks. We need guidelines that work in real life, not just on paper. A community-led review by Endo Warriors Aotearoa and our Youth Advisory Board outlines how the current guidance fails us. It shows the harm caused by relying on hormonal contraception as the default treatment [3] [6], how hard it is to access skilled excision surgery [2] [7], and how little support exists for holistic or culturally grounded pain management [3].  He wā tēnei. It is time. Sign the petition today and stand with our hāpori to demand a new standard of care for endometriosis (mate kirikopu) in Aotearoa, a new standard that embeds lived experience, Māori and Pasifika voices, youth insight, and gender diversity into every part of care, a health system that believes us, supports us, and works for us.  References: [1] Armour, M., et al. (2019). The prevalence and impact of endometriosis symptoms on quality of life among young women: a cross-sectional study. BJOG, 126(6), 755–759. [2] Ballard, K., Lowton, K., & Wright, J. (2006). What’s the delay? A qualitative study of women’s experiences of reaching a diagnosis of endometriosis. Fertility and Sterility, 86(5), 1296–1301. [3] Culley, L., et al. (2018). The social and psychological impact of endometriosis on women’s lives: A critical narrative review. Human Reproduction Update, 24(6), 625–639. [4] Riazi, H., et al. (2014). Clinical diagnosis of pelvic endometriosis: a scoping review. BMC Women’s Health, 14(1), 73. [5] Jones, G., Jenkinson, C., & Kennedy, S. (2004). The impact of endometriosis on quality of life: a qualitative study. BJOG, 111(4), 410–418. [6] Denny, E., & Mann, C. H. (2007). Endometriosis and the primary care consultation. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 132(2), 224–228. [7] Missmer, S. A., et al. (2014). Incidence of laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis by demographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle factors. Am J Epidemiol, 179(6), 721–730. [8] Missmer, S. A., et al. (2014). Incidence of laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis by demographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle factors. Am J Epidemiol, 179(6), 721–730. [9] Zhang, T., et al. (2020). The link between endometriosis and autoimmune diseases. Frontiers in Immunology, 11, 339. [10] Ministry of Health. (2020). Diagnosis and Management of Endometriosis in New Zealand. Wellington: Ministry of Health. “While not a formal clinical guideline, it provides a consensus view of best-practice principles.” (p. 2)

We all deserve to have safe, affordable and secure places to call our home. But for the people of Dunedin, landlords are lining their pockets and regularly getting away with squalid housing conditions, far from meeting Healthy Homes Standards.  The consequences of inadequate housing can be far reaching, affecting people’s health and wellbeing. Many students also suffer from sicknesses, due to the cold, damp and unsafe environments in flats.  It’s time for landlords to take responsibility for the properties they profit from. Students shouldn’t have to choose between affordable rent and safe living conditions.  The Healthy Homes standard sets out compliance obligations with respect to keeping homes warm, dry and safe. These standards aren’t enough to be written on a piece of paper. They must be enforced by the MBIE. 

Most people in Aotearoa, no matter our background, income or postcode, value fairness and freedom. The freedom to have a say in decisions that impact our lives — from making housing more affordable, to creating jobs to making health care decent. We want everyone to have the freedom to vote as we know for our democracy to work for all of us, it must include all of us. We are proud to have been the first democracy where women could vote. But right now, the Government is pushing through changes to the Electoral Act that will make it harder for many people to vote—especially those already underrepresented in our political system. These proposed changes include: • Scrapping same-day enrolment and voting on Election Day, a clearly effective measure for increasing turnout - used by over 80,000 people in the last election. • Requiring strict forms of ID to vote, which puts unnecessary and expensive barriers up particularly for those on low incomes or experiencing homelessness. • Shortening the voter enrollment deadline by a full week, which will target people with busy lives or housing instability. • Banning all incarcerated people from enrolling and voting in our general election. • Banning the distribution of free food and drinks near polling places, which has long been a simple, welcoming way to support voter turnout, and has the potential to impact marae specifically.  Even the Government’s own Attorney-General Judith Collins has warned these changes breach the Bill of Rights and risk silencing tens of thousands of voters. She found that the reforms would likely be inconsistent with the right to vote and lacked sufficient justification[1]. At the same time, the Prime Minister has publicly admitted he does not know the details of his own government’s proposals[2]. This is unacceptable when our fundamental democratic rights are on the line. Voters pick our leaders -- leaders do not get to pick and choose their voters. Let’s be clear: this is voter suppression—and it mirrors what far-right governments around the world are doing to consolidate power by discouraging democratic participation. During their term, this Government has routinely bypassed democratic processes. In just its first 17 weeks, it passed 14 laws under urgency—without full public consultation or proper scrutiny. That’s more than many previous governments managed across an entire term[3]. If we let these electoral law changes go ahead, we risk silencing over a hundred thousand voters[4] at the next election —and setting a dangerous precedent. We call on the Government to immediately: • Stop all changes that limit or restrict the ability of people to enrol or vote. • Retain same-day enrolment and voting on Election Day. • Reject strict voter ID laws that disproportionately impact Māori, young people, disabled voters, and others and will suppress voter turnout. • Allow food and drink near polling places as a basic gesture of hospitality, tikanga Māori and community support. • Commit to transparent, robust public consultation before any electoral law changes are made. • Explore and commit to removing other barriers currently preventing people from voting. For our democracy to work for all of us, it must include all of us. We need our leaders to be removing barriers stopping people voting, not creating new ones. References: 1. Attorney-General rules her own govt’s voting crackdown breaches human rights — Newsroom, 28 July 2025 2. Christopher Luxon defends voting changes after Judith Collins raises problems — RNZ, 27 July 2025 3. Urgency under scrutiny as pay equity changes rushed through — 1News, 11 May 2025 4. New Zealand attorney general warns her government’s electoral reform could breach human rights law — The Guardian, 28 July 2025

As a coalition of health organisations and advocacy groups, we are calling on the Prime Minister Luxon: strip the tobacco and vaping portfolio from New Zealand First. It's the responsibility of leaders in government to make informed decisions that have long-term benefits for the future of the country and the health of its people. They should use the best knowledge, information and expertise available to guide their decisions to ensure all people and communities can thrive. That is not happening right now.   Keeping the tobacco industry away from influencing Government decisions and actions is crucial to protecting people’s health and wellbeing.   Our Government appear not to be prioritising saving lives and protecting people from harmful industries who have caused so much death and destruction in their pursuit of profits. If action isn’t taken now, more decisions will continue to be made behind closed doors that are influenced by the tobacco and vape industry which benefits their interests.   The health of people across Aotearoa is under threat if the PM doesn’t take some action to change how health decisions are being made and who is responsible for that decision making. We are calling for PM Christopher Luxon to take a strong stance and protect the health of all people in Aotearoa. Sign this petition to show your support! References: [1] Alleged ties between NZ First and vaping companies a 'dangerous risk' to New Zealanders, anti-vape group warns | RNZ News