10 stakeholders. 10 opinions. Zero homes built.

Party: ACT

Date Received: 2025-07-12 08:56

HTML Version

Dear [Name],

Whether it’s a housing development derailed by 10 layers of red tape, parents treated like suspects for opening a savings account, or families blocked from selling their own homes — ACT is getting on with the job of clearing the path.

And we’re also delivering on the promises we made: like ensuring New Zealand learns from the mistakes of the COVID-19 response, through a proper public inquiry.

No more excuses.

And don’t miss your chance to be part of something special tomorrow – ACT’s Free & Equal Rally. It’s time to stand up for freedom, personal responsibility, and common sense.

So let’s get into it 👇

Red tape is Blocking Homes, Businesses, and Progress

“Iwi for the river setback, stormwater, flood zoning... there were 10 stakeholders, and effectively they all wanted different things” – Brooksfield director Vinny Holloway.

Red tape isn’t some abstract problem. It’s actively stopping homes from being built. It’s dragging down business and it’s costing this country opportunity.

In Christchurch, developer Brooksfield has cancelled its high-profile Greystones townhouse project — seven beautifully designed homes in Fendalton.

After two years stuck in the consent process. Five had already sold. Now the land sits empty.

By the time the consents came through, the buyers had pulled out. The contracts had expired. The whole thing was too hard.

That’s what red tape does.

And it's not just in Christchurch — across New Zealand, developers are hitting the same wall of bureaucratic madness: overlapping agencies, endless delays, and a system where everyone gets to say no, but no one takes responsibility.

“In a high-cost economy, regulation isn’t neutral, it’s a tax on growth.” – David Seymour

ACT is fixing this. We're replacing the RMA with a system based on property rights. The Regulatory Standards Bill will make sure politicians are held accountable for the rules they write. It doesn’t ban regulation — it just demands transparency.

“The Bill doesn’t stop politicians or their officials making bad laws, but it makes it transparent that they’re doing it.” – David Seymour

It means fewer pointless rules. Fewer delays. Fewer good ideas blocked by a system that can’t get out of its own way.

This week, BusinessNZ backed the Bill, calling it:

“An important step towards improving the quality of regulation and reducing the compliance burden on businesses.”

That’s what ACT in Government is doing: cutting red tape, restoring accountability, and making it possible to build again.

ACT’s 2025 Rally Free & Equal Is Happening Tomorrow

Tomorrow 13 July, you can be part of something that matters.

We’re bringing Dr James Lindsay to New Zealand – a bestselling author and fearless critic of identity politics, censorship, and woke nonsense. As David says:

“Dr Lindsay is exactly what this country needs: a calm, clear voice cutting through the noise.” – David Seymour

Join thousands of Kiwis who back freedom, personal responsibility, and straight-talking politics. Don’t just watch change, be there for it.

📅 Sunday, 13 July, 2–4pm
📍 Shed 10, 89 Quay Street, Auckland

🎟️ Tickets selling fast — grab yours now at act.org.nz/2025-rally

Stand with us. See you there.

Trusts Shouldn’t Come with a Criminal Suspicion Form

Thousands of Kiwi families use Family Trusts to manage their homes — but under current rules, selling a house in a trust can feel like you’re under investigation.

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says it’s time the system treated ordinary families fairly:

“Families who’ve worked hard, paid off their mortgage, and saved for the future shouldn’t be treated like potential criminals just because they want to move house.” – Nicole McKee

Under ACT’s changes, if the sale is clearly low risk, real estate agents will be allowed to carry out simple checks:

Confirm the title and trustees
Verify ID
Keep a copy of the trust deed

No more paperwork overload. No more delays. Just common sense.

“These changes are about recognising that not all customers carry the same risk and it’s time our laws reflected that.” – Nicole McKee

COVID-19 Royal Commission Enters Public Hearings

This week marks the start of public hearings for the COVID-19 Royal Commission, an inquiry made possible by ACT’s coalition agreement with National.

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden set up the inquiry last year to ensure New Zealand learns from what happened — and does better next time.

The hearings will gather evidence from those affected by the pandemic, including businesses, families, and frontline workers. It's an important step toward understanding what worked, what didn’t, and what we must fix.

You can find the full schedule and livestream details here.

ACT promised accountability — and we’re delivering it.

Kids Should Learn to Save — Not Learn to Fear Red Tape

One of the most important lessons we can teach our kids is how to save. For generations, Kiwi kids have opened their first account, deposited birthday money, and learned the basics of responsibility.

It’s how we build confidence. It’s how we grow that Number 8 wire, DIY mindset we’re proud of. But the rules have become so strict, it’s now harder than ever for kids to open a bank account.

Parents are being told to verify their authority, explain the “nature and purpose” of the account, and submit to ongoing monitoring — even when all they want is a basic savings account for their eight-year-old.

Nicole McKee says it’s nonsense:

“Parents shouldn’t be asked to jump through bureaucratic hoops just to open a bank account for their kids.” – Nicole McKee

ACT’s changes allow banks to apply simplified checks when the risk is low:

Show a birth certificate
Prove the parent-child relationship
Apply reasonable limits to the account

That’s it. That’s all it should take.

“We’re streamlining the system so that New Zealanders can spend less time on paperwork and more time teaching their children the value of money.” – Nicole McKee

If we want kids to understand saving, let’s start by removing the barriers that stop them.

Until Next Week

Every week, ACT is delivering practical reforms — not just talking, but acting.

We’re not interested in ticking boxes. We’re here to restore common sense — and respect New Zealanders’ ability to do the right thing.

If you want real change, be part of it. Grab your ticket for this Sunday’s Free & Equal Rally and help us keep building a stronger, safer, freer New Zealand.

Team ACT

DONATE TODAY

[Name], if you like what we're doing, and wish to support us, please consider donating. As a grassroots movement, we rely on the support from Kiwis like you.

This email was sent to [Email]

You can update your email preferences here

Authorised by C Purves, Suite 2.5, 27 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket, Auckland 1023

Text Version

<https://www.act.org.nz/>Dear [Name], <https://www.act.org.nz/>
Whether it’s a housing development derailed by 10 layers of red tape, parents treated like suspects for opening a savings account, or families blocked from selling their own homes — ACT is getting on with the job of clearing the path.
And we’re also delivering on the promises we made: like ensuring New Zealand learns from the mistakes of the COVID-19 response, through a proper public inquiry.
No more excuses.
And don’t miss your chance to be part of something special tomorrow – ACT’s Free & Equal Rally <https://www.act.org.nz/2025-rally It’s time to stand up for freedom, personal responsibility, and common sense.
So let’s get into it 👇
<https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360749332/greystones-development-scuppered-incredibly-hard-consent-process>Red tape is Blocking Homes, Businesses, and Progress
“Iwi for the river setback, stormwater, flood zoning... there were 10 stakeholders, and effectively they all wanted different things” – Brooksfield director Vinny Holloway.
Red tape isn’t some abstract problem. It’s actively stopping homes from being built. It’s dragging down business and it’s costing this country opportunity.
In Christchurch, developer Brooksfield has cancelled its high-profile Greystones townhouse project <https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360749332/greystones-development-scuppered-incredibly-hard-consent-process> — seven beautifully designed homes in Fendalton.
After two years stuck in the consent process. Five had already sold. Now the land sits empty.
By the time the consents came through, the buyers had pulled out. The contracts had expired. The whole thing was too hard.
That’s what red tape does.
And it's not just in Christchurch — across New Zealand, developers are hitting the same wall of bureaucratic madness: overlapping agencies, endless delays, and a system where everyone gets to say no, but no one takes responsibility.
“In a high-cost economy, regulation isn’t neutral, it’s a tax on growth.” – David Seymour
<https://www.youtube.com/watch is fixing this. We're replacing the RMA with a system based on property rights. The Regulatory Standards Bill will make sure politicians are held accountable for the rules they write. It doesn’t ban regulation — it just demands transparency.
“The Bill doesn’t stop politicians or their officials making bad laws, but it makes it transparent that they’re doing it.” – David Seymour
It means fewer pointless rules. Fewer delays. Fewer good ideas blocked by a system that can’t get out of its own way.
This week, BusinessNZ backed the Bill, calling it:
“An important step towards improving the quality of regulation and reducing the compliance burden on businesses.”
That’s what ACT in Government is doing: cutting red tape, restoring accountability, and making it possible to build again.
<https://www.act.org.nz/2025-rally 2025 Rally Free & Equal Is Happening Tomorrow
Tomorrow 13 July, you can be part of something that matters.
We’re bringing Dr James Lindsay to New Zealand – a bestselling author and fearless critic of identity politics, censorship, and woke nonsense. As David says:
“Dr Lindsay is exactly what this country needs: a calm, clear voice cutting through the noise.” – David Seymour
Join thousands of Kiwis who back freedom, personal responsibility, and straight-talking politics. Don’t just watch change, be there for it.
📅 Sunday, 13 July, 2–4pm
📍 Shed 10, 89 Quay Street, Auckland
🎟️ Tickets selling fast — grab yours now at act.org.nz/2025-rally <https://act.org.nz/2025-rally>
Stand with us. See you there.
<https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/566284/government-to-loosen-rules-for-selling-homes-in-trusts>Trusts Shouldn’t Come with a Criminal Suspicion Form
Thousands of Kiwi families use Family Trusts to manage their homes — but under current rules, selling a house in a trust can feel like you’re under investigation.
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says it’s time the system treated ordinary families fairly:
“Families who’ve worked hard, paid off their mortgage, and saved for the future shouldn’t be treated like potential criminals just because they want to move house.” – Nicole McKee
Under ACT’s changes, if the sale is clearly low risk, real estate agents will be allowed to carry out simple checks:
- Confirm the title and trustees
- Verify ID
- Keep a copy of the trust deed
No more paperwork overload. No more delays. Just common sense.
“These changes are about recognising that not all customers carry the same risk and it’s time our laws reflected that.” – Nicole McKee
<https://www.youtube.com/watch Royal Commission Enters Public Hearings
This week marks the start of public hearings for the COVID-19 Royal Commission, an inquiry made possible by ACT’s coalition agreement with National.
Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden set up the inquiry last year to ensure New Zealand learns from what happened — and does better next time.
The hearings will gather evidence from those affected by the pandemic, including businesses, families, and frontline workers. It's an important step toward understanding what worked, what didn’t, and what we must fix.
You can find the full schedule and livestream details here. <https://www.covid19lessons.royalcommission.nz/the-inquiry/public-hearings>
ACT promised accountability — and we’re delivering it.
<https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/jeff-king-mymahi-founder-on-the-changes-to-child-banking-requirements/>Kids Should Learn to Save — Not Learn to Fear Red Tape
One of the most important lessons we can teach our kids is how to save. For generations, Kiwi kids have opened their first account, deposited birthday money, and learned the basics of responsibility.
It’s how we build confidence. It’s how we grow that Number 8 wire, DIY mindset we’re proud of. But the rules have become so strict, it’s now harder than ever for kids to open a bank account.
Parents are being told to verify their authority, explain the “nature and purpose” of the account, and submit to ongoing monitoring — even when all they want is a basic savings account for their eight-year-old.
Nicole McKee says it’s nonsense:
“Parents shouldn’t be asked to jump through bureaucratic hoops just to open a bank account for their kids.” – Nicole McKee
ACT’s changes allow banks to apply simplified checks when the risk is low:
- Show a birth certificate
- Prove the parent-child relationship
- Apply reasonable limits to the account
That’s it. That’s all it should take.
“We’re streamlining the system so that New Zealanders can spend less time on paperwork and more time teaching their children the value of money.” – Nicole McKee
If we want kids to understand saving, let’s start by removing the barriers that stop them.
Until Next Week
Every week, ACT is delivering practical reforms — not just talking, but acting.
We’re not interested in ticking boxes. We’re here to restore common sense — and respect New Zealanders’ ability to do the right thing.
If you want real change, be part of it. Grab your ticket for this Sunday’s Free & Equal Rally <https://www.act.org.nz/2025-rally and help us keep building a stronger, safer, freer New Zealand.
Team ACT
<https://www.act.org.nz/donate>DONATE TODAY <https://www.act.org.nz/donate>[Name], if you like what we're doing, and wish to support us, please consider donating. As a grassroots movement, we rely on the support from Kiwis like you.
This email was sent to [Email] <https://www.act.org.nz/unsubscribe>
You can update your email preferences here <https://www.act.org.nz/unsubscribe>
Authorised by C Purves, Suite 2.5, 27 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket, Auckland 1023