Labour wrecked it. ACT is fixing it.

Party: ACT

Date Received: 2025-07-18 18:53

HTML Version

Dear [Name],

What a week to be part of ACT.

On Sunday, more than 500 supporters from every corner of New Zealand packed out ACT’s annual rally. We celebrated the wins we’ve delivered in Government, looked ahead to what’s next, and fired up for next year’s election.

Missed it? You can catch every speech in full on our YouTube channel.

And here’s another milestone we’re proud of: ACT has a brand‑new website – www.act.org.nz – built to make it easier than ever to follow our work, share our ideas, and join the movement.

Now, here’s what’s been making waves in politics this week. 👇

Councils Finally Told to Do Their Jobs

It’s taken a while, but finally, local councils are being reminded that they’re not the central government, not NGOs, and not social‑experiment labs. They’re councils.

You can almost picture it, can’t you? A council meeting where, instead of fixing potholes, they’re earnestly debating how to save the world while your rates bill creeps ever upwards.

As Cameron Luxton put it:

“Labour’s ‘four well‑beings’ approach invited councils to meddle in everything under the sun, from climate policy to public health and tourism campaigns, all funded by hardworking ratepayers struggling with their own bills.” – Cameron Luxton

Charming, really—if it weren’t your money.

That’s now changing. Councils will be benchmarked against each other. You’ll be able to look up exactly how your council compares on debt, spending, and rates. Imagine being able to say, 'Hang on, why does the council down the road do more with less, while ours keeps putting the squeeze on us?'

But accountability can’t stop there. ACT wants to see stronger protections for local democracy itself. Moves by councils to grant unelected appointees voting rights, or to introduce Māori wards, erode the Treaty’s promise of the same rights and duties for all New Zealanders.

“That’s why ACT has restored the right for voters to throw out Māori wards and ACT Local will be campaigning to ensure only elected councillors are at the decision‑making table.” – Cameron Luxton

If you really want to make sure your council is held accountable, make sure you vote for ACT Local. We call that democracy. Revolutionary, isn’t it?

Open‑Plan Classrooms: The Great Beanbag Fiasco

Ah yes, open‑plan classrooms. A “modern learning environment,” they said. “Innovation,” they said. What we actually got was noise, chaos, and kids who couldn’t concentrate. I mean honestly, what an absolute joke, who actually thought this was a good idea, where on earth did Labour dream this one up. Laura McClure is spot on:

“Having three teachers manage a hundred kids in a big barn with bean bags was always a recipe for chaos.” – Laura McClure

But of course, the Ministry knew better than principals and parents, didn’t they? After all, why listen to people who actually run classrooms when you can impose an educational fad from Wellington?

“It’s staggering that the Ministry of Education forced schools to adopt these designs with no evaluation of whether they worked.” – Laura McClure

Staggering, indeed. After years of this experiment failing our kids, ACT is proud to say sanity has returned:

“Today’s announcement is a victory for common sense and for all the parents, teachers, and boards of trustees who fought against this ideological experiment.” – Laura McClure

We’ll drink to that.

Supermarket Fast‑Track: Lower Prices for Kiwi Families

Miracles do happen. Labour has finally admitted ACT might have a point.

Chris Hipkins said he’s “very open” to ACT’s supermarket fast‑track proposal.

David summed it up perfectly:

“The supermarket fast‑track would deliver more competition and lower prices for Kiwis at the checkout. It’s great to see Labour putting politics aside to back ACT’s proposal to lower the cost of living.” – David Seymour

Of course, one might gently ask Labour why they didn’t think of this during their years in Government. But let’s not be unkind. Some political parties like Labour just need longer to catch up, or sometimes a party like ACT to show them how it's done.

“Right now it takes years to get planning and consenting approvals for new supermarkets. That blocks competition and protects the duopoly.” – David Seymour

Translation: you pay more because red tape is more important to them than your grocery bill.

“More competition means lower prices and better choice for Kiwi families.”– David Seymour

It’s almost like ACT’s been saying that for years. But hey, welcome aboard, Labour.

Online Gambling – Finally Some Rules for the Wild West

The online gambling market is a free‑for‑all that Labour never thought to regulate. Thousands of offshore sites, no safeguards, no standards.

Our very own Brooke van Velden has stepped in with a Bill that actually protects New Zealanders, because we care for our people:

“Currently, New Zealanders can legally access thousands of offshore gambling websites. But the market is unregulated, so there are no player safety standards or oversight of harm minimisation.” – Brooke van Velden

Imagine that – a Minister who believes in both personal choice and sensible protections.

“My intention with this Bill is to ensure that online gambling is safer for New Zealanders who wish to gamble online… and that companies providing this service contribute to tax revenue and funding the services that treat gambling harm in New Zealand.” – Brooke van Velden

It’s called responsibility. Not really Labour’s strong suit, but ACT is happy to lead by example.

Thousands of Subscribers and Millions of Views

ACT’s YouTube channel has now passed 15,000 subscribers and notched up over eight million views. That’s millions of New Zealanders choosing to see what really happens rather than relying on media outlets that too often twist the story.

It’s getting harder to trust the media in this country. Too many reporters edit to fit a narrative, and the few good journalists left are drowned out by those more interested in chasing clicks or going viral than in sharing unbiased facts.

That’s why we created David vs the Media. Every David Seymour press conference is uploaded uncut, unedited, and in 4K.

You get to see exactly what was said, exactly how it was said, and make up your own mind.

If you haven’t already, jump on board. Subscribe to ACT’s YouTube channel, watch the speeches, and share them with friends. The more people who see the truth for themselves, the stronger we all are.

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 and head along to one of our events 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://action.act.org.nz/>
What a week to be part of ACT.
On Sunday, more than 500 supporters from every corner of New Zealand packed out ACT’s annual rally. We celebrated the wins we’ve delivered in Government, looked ahead to what’s next, and fired up for next year’s election.
Missed it? You can catch every speech in full on our YouTube channel. <https://www.youtube.com/@ACTNewZealand/videos>
And here’s another milestone we’re proud of: ACT has a brand‑new website – www.act.org.nz <http://www.act.org.nz> – built to make it easier than ever to follow our work, share our ideas, and join the movement.
Now, here’s what’s been making waves in politics this week. 👇
<https://www.youtube.com/watch Finally Told to Do Their Jobs
It’s taken a while, but finally, local councils are being reminded that they’re not the central government, not NGOs, and not social‑experiment labs. They’re councils.
You can almost picture it, can’t you? A council meeting where, instead of fixing potholes, they’re earnestly debating how to save the world while your rates bill creeps ever upwards.
As Cameron Luxton put it:
“Labour’s ‘four well‑beings’ approach invited councils to meddle in everything under the sun, from climate policy to public health and tourism campaigns, all funded by hardworking ratepayers struggling with their own bills.” – Cameron Luxton
Charming, really—if it weren’t your money.
That’s now changing. Councils will be benchmarked against each other. You’ll be able to look up exactly how your council compares on debt, spending, and rates. Imagine being able to say, 'Hang on, why does the council down the road do more with less, while ours keeps putting the squeeze on us?'
But accountability can’t stop there. ACT wants to see stronger protections for local democracy itself. Moves by councils to grant unelected appointees voting rights, or to introduce Māori wards, erode the Treaty’s promise of the same rights and duties for all New Zealanders.
“That’s why ACT has restored the right for voters to throw out Māori wards and ACT Local will be campaigning to ensure only elected councillors are at the decision‑making table.” – Cameron Luxton
If you really want to make sure your council is held accountable, make sure you vote for ACT Local <https://www.actlocal.nz/>. We call that democracy. Revolutionary, isn’t it?
<https://thespinoff.co.nz/the-bulletin/17-07-2025/walls-go-back-up-as-open-plan-classroom-experiment-falls-flat Classrooms: The Great Beanbag Fiasco
Ah yes, open‑plan classrooms. A “modern learning environment,” they said. “Innovation,” they said. What we actually got was noise, chaos, and kids who couldn’t concentrate. I mean honestly, what an absolute joke, who actually thought this was a good idea, where on earth did Labour dream this one up. Laura McClure is spot on:
“Having three teachers manage a hundred kids in a big barn with bean bags was always a recipe for chaos.” – Laura McClure
But of course, the Ministry knew better than principals and parents, didn’t they? After all, why listen to people who actually run classrooms when you can impose an educational fad from Wellington?
“It’s staggering that the Ministry of Education forced schools to adopt these designs with no evaluation of whether they worked.” – Laura McClure
Staggering, indeed. After years of this experiment failing our kids, ACT is proud to say sanity has returned:
“Today’s announcement is a victory for common sense and for all the parents, teachers, and boards of trustees who fought against this ideological experiment.” – Laura McClure
We’ll drink to that.
<https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/supermarkets-david-seymour-wants-a-fast-track-law-for-new-supermarkets/VDERFYGOA5HDFKXYEWQVDRH7RI/>Supermarket Fast‑Track: Lower Prices for Kiwi Families
Miracles do happen. Labour has finally admitted ACT might have a point.
Chris Hipkins said he’s “very open” to ACT’s supermarket fast‑track proposal.
David summed it up perfectly:
“The supermarket fast‑track would deliver more competition and lower prices for Kiwis at the checkout. It’s great to see Labour putting politics aside to back ACT’s proposal to lower the cost of living.” – David Seymour
Of course, one might gently ask Labour why they didn’t think of this during their years in Government. But let’s not be unkind. Some political parties like Labour just need longer to catch up, or sometimes a party like ACT to show them how it's done.
“Right now it takes years to get planning and consenting approvals for new supermarkets. That blocks competition and protects the duopoly.” – David Seymour
Translation: you pay more because red tape is more important to them than your grocery bill.
“More competition means lower prices and better choice for Kiwi families.”– David Seymour
It’s almost like ACT’s been saying that for years. But hey, welcome aboard, Labour.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch Gambling – Finally Some Rules for the Wild West
The online gambling market is a free‑for‑all that Labour never thought to regulate. Thousands of offshore sites, no safeguards, no standards.
Our very own Brooke van Velden has stepped in with a Bill that actually protects New Zealanders, because we care for our people:
“Currently, New Zealanders can legally access thousands of offshore gambling websites. But the market is unregulated, so there are no player safety standards or oversight of harm minimisation.” – Brooke van Velden
Imagine that – a Minister who believes in both personal choice and sensible protections.
“My intention with this Bill is to ensure that online gambling is safer for New Zealanders who wish to gamble online… and that companies providing this service contribute to tax revenue and funding the services that treat gambling harm in New Zealand.” – Brooke van Velden
It’s called responsibility. Not really Labour’s strong suit, but ACT is happy to lead by example.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch of Subscribers and Millions of Views
ACT’s YouTube channel has now passed 15,000 subscribers and notched up over eight million views. That’s millions of New Zealanders choosing to see what really happens rather than relying on media outlets that too often twist the story.
It’s getting harder to trust the media in this country. Too many reporters edit to fit a narrative, and the few good journalists left are drowned out by those more interested in chasing clicks or going viral than in sharing unbiased facts.
That’s why we created David vs the Media. <https://www.youtube.com/playlist Every David Seymour press conference is uploaded uncut, unedited, and in 4K.
You get to see exactly what was said, exactly how it was said, and make up your own mind.
If you haven’t already, jump on board. Subscribe to ACT’s YouTube channel, watch the speeches, and share them with friends. The more people who see the truth for themselves, the stronger we all are.
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 and head along to one of our events <https://action.act.org.nz/events> 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://action.act.org.nz/unsubscribe>
You can update your email preferences here <https://action.act.org.nz/unsubscribe>
Authorised by C Purves, Suite 2.5, 27 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket, Auckland 1023