Free speech and political violence

Free speech and political violence | ACTion

Party: ACT

Date Received: 2025-09-14 16:46

HTML Version

Dear [Name],

This week has been a reminder of why ACT stands for open debate, tolerance of differing views, and a culture of free expression.

Ballot papers are dropping for the local body elections, and finally voters get to decide on Māori wards.

In Government, momentum is building around charter schools – giving more children the chance to access an education that works for them.

And in Northland one of our ACT Local candidates has literally had his face shot out of a hoarding.

So let’s crack into it 👇

This week, Bream Bay ACT Local candidate Matthew Yovich had his campaign hoardings in Whangārei shot at – bullets tearing through his face on the signs.

Matthew wasn’t going to draw attention to the incident. But after the murder of Charlie Kirk in the US, he felt it was important to speak out and call for open debate, not violence or intimidation.

“We live in a democracy, and in a democracy we settle our differences with debate and a vote. There is no justification for bringing guns to politics.” – Matthew Yovich

Matthew isn’t backing down. He’s standing firm on his principles and continuing his campaign for a better Whangārei. If elected, he’ll defend democracy and free speech – as will every ACT Local candidate.

Show Matthew some support on Facebook.

This coincides with ACT releasing its Free Speech Policy for the local government campaign.

A clear commitment to free expression

ACT Local councillors will:

🟡 Ensure all lawful speech is permitted at council-owned and council-run venues, regardless of the views expressed.

🟡 Oppose councils taking official positions on matters unrelated to their core business.

🟡 Adopt a formal Free Speech Policy requiring councils to protect residents’ rights to share and seek ideas and information.

Councils exist to provide core services like infrastructure and rubbish collection, not to police speech.

Read the full policy here.

Bringing equal rights and democracy to your council

Also this week was the launch of the democracy policy for ACT Local.

In Government, ACT has restored the right for voters to ditch divisive Māori wards via referendum and ACT Local candidates stand firmly opposed to seats reserved at the table based on ancestry.

But we know the issues run deeper than just Māori Wards. Councils have handed decision making power to unelected appointees, set race-based procurement targets, and handed power to unaccountable co-governed entities.

ACT Local Councillors will:

❌ Oppose Māori wards

❌ Oppose co-governance arrangements.

❌ Oppose race-based services, funding, jobs, and consultation rights.

❌ End "progressive" procurement policies.

❌ Oppose unelected decision-makers.

With rates climbing and households squeezed, the people deciding how to spend ratepayers’ money ought to be held accountable. But right now, we’ve got councils appointing unelected people to committees with full voting rights.

Cameron Luxton, ACT's Local Government spokesperson, has also drafted a bill to remove the voting rights of unelected appointees on councils and has written to the Minister asking him to adopt it.

Read the policy.

Charter schools already changing lives

One 16-year-old in Auckland "wasn't really a school person" until charter schools came along. Some mornings, he didn’t bother getting out of bed for school, other days he drifted through lessons he didn’t understand.

Now he’s at the trades-focussed 'Busy' charter school in Auckland. He’s in year 11, aiming to be an electrician. He’s engaged, motivated, and learning.

That's just one example of how the choice and innovation enabled by the charter school model is giving young people an education that works for them.

These schools offer greater flexibility and freedom for educators to innovate and adapt learning to their students’ needs. In return, they are held to strict standards around student achievement, attendance, and financial stability.

Principals are saying literacy is "dramatically" improving, and a state school has declared publicly that it wants to become a charter school.

Momentum is building as more and more people see what charter schools have to offer.

Have your say on the future of school qualifications

There’s no better indicator of a society’s future success than the amount of knowledge passed from one generation to the next. That requires a robust curriculum and a way of assessing it that holds everyone accountable.

That's why we're proposing to replace NCEA with a simpler, subject-based, exam-focused approach that gives young people the education they deserve – and assesses them on objective standards.

Your voice is vital to ensure the new system is the best it can be, and consultation on the changes is now open.

📢 Submissions close on Monday, 15 September. Have your say now, by clicking here.

Unfit for parliament: Tākuta should go back to fishing

The standard for MPs isn’t complicated. You’re sent to Parliament to represent all New Zealanders. Not just the people who voted for you. Not just the people you like. All of us.

Tākuta Ferris failed that test. His racist and divisive comments weren’t just offensive, they revealed he doesn’t grasp the basic responsibility of his role. The moment an MP decides some New Zealanders aren’t worthy of respect, they’ve disqualified themselves.

Everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes our wrongs can be made right when we show humility, apologise, and change. But Ferris hasn’t done that. He doubled down, then tripled down. At that point, it stops being a misstep and becomes a worldview. Something has to change.

Parliament can handle tough debates and strong disagreements. What it cannot handle is MPs who make a mockery of their duty by weaponising race. That corrodes trust, weakens democracy, and leaves New Zealanders more divided.

Ferris has shown us who he is. He’s unfit for Parliament. He should go back to fishing.

In the weeks to come, we’ll be showcasing some of the hard work our candidates are doing out on the campaign trail – Here's our wonderful candidate Chris Till for Rolleston Ward

Until Next Week

We have 46 candidates across 25 different councils. Your voting papers should be arriving soon if they haven't already.

Back your ACT Local candidate if there's one in your area and send a message: councils work for ratepayers, not the other way around.

👉 Say g'day at our next event

Thanks,

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

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Text Version

<https://www.act.org.nz/>Dear [Name], <https://action.act.org.nz/>
This week has been a reminder of why ACT stands for open debate, tolerance of differing views, and a culture of free expression.
Ballot papers are dropping for the local body elections, and finally voters get to decide on Māori wards.
In Government, momentum is building around charter schools – giving more children the chance to access an education that works for them.
And in Northland one of our ACT Local candidates has literally had his face shot out of a hoarding.
So let’s crack into it 👇
<https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360822666/holy-heck-act-candidate-shocked-hoarding-shot>Free speech and political violence
This week, Bream Bay ACT Local candidate Matthew Yovich <https://www.actlocal.nz/matthewyovich> had his campaign hoardings in Whangārei shot at – bullets tearing through his face on the signs.
Matthew wasn’t going to draw attention to the incident. But after the murder of Charlie Kirk in the US, he felt it was important to speak out and call for open debate, not violence or intimidation.
“We live in a democracy, and in a democracy we settle our differences with debate and a vote. There is no justification for bringing guns to politics.” – Matthew Yovich
Matthew isn’t backing down. He’s standing firm on his principles and continuing his campaign for a better Whangārei. If elected, he’ll defend democracy and free speech – as will every ACT Local candidate.
Show Matthew some support on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1A563UmJ6Y/>.
This coincides with ACT releasing its Free Speech Policy for the local government campaign.
A clear commitment to free expression
ACT Local councillors will:
🟡 Ensure all lawful speech is permitted at council-owned and council-run venues, regardless of the views expressed.
🟡 Oppose councils taking official positions on matters unrelated to their core business.
🟡 Adopt a formal Free Speech Policy requiring councils to protect residents’ rights to share and seek ideas and information.
Councils exist to provide core services like infrastructure and rubbish collection, not to police speech.
Read the full policy here <https://www.act.org.nz/news/act-local-releases-policy-to-uphold-freedom-of-speech>.
<https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/neil-holdom-new-plymouth-mayor-on-act-proposing-to-remove-voting-rights-from-unelected-council-members/>Bringing equal rights and democracy to your council
Also this week was the launch of the democracy policy for ACT Local.
In Government, ACT has restored the right for voters to ditch divisive Māori wards via referendum and ACT Local candidates stand firmly opposed to seats reserved at the table based on ancestry.
But we know the issues run deeper than just Māori Wards. Councils have handed decision making power to unelected appointees, set race-based procurement targets, and handed power to unaccountable co-governed entities.
ACT Local Councillors will:
❌ Oppose Māori wards
❌ Oppose co-governance arrangements.
❌ Oppose race-based services, funding, jobs, and consultation rights.
❌ End "progressive" procurement policies.
❌ Oppose unelected decision-makers.
With rates climbing and households squeezed, the people deciding how to spend ratepayers’ money ought to be held accountable. But right now, we’ve got councils appointing unelected people to committees with full voting rights.
Cameron Luxton, ACT's Local Government spokesperson, has also drafted a bill to remove the voting rights of unelected appointees on councils and has written to the Minister asking him to adopt it.
Read the policy <https://www.act.org.nz/news/act-time-to-end-voting-rights-for-unelected-council-appointees>.
<https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/572504/charter-schools-gaining-momentum-with-interest-from-state-school-northland-college>Charter schools already changing lives
One 16-year-old in Auckland <https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360814309/student-charter-school-was-life-changing-yet-enrolments-lag> "wasn't really a school person" until charter schools came along. Some mornings, he didn’t bother getting out of bed for school, other days he drifted through lessons he didn’t understand.
Now he’s at the trades-focussed 'Busy' charter school in Auckland. He’s in year 11, aiming to be an electrician. He’s engaged, motivated, and learning.
That's just one example of how the choice and innovation enabled by the charter school model is giving young people an education that works for them.
These schools offer greater flexibility and freedom for educators to innovate and adapt learning to their students’ needs. In return, they are held to strict standards around student achievement, attendance, and financial stability.
Principals are saying <https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/572864/charter-school-tipene-st-stephens-says-students-literacy-dramatically-improved-since-opening> literacy is "dramatically" improving, and a state school has declared publicly <https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/572504/charter-schools-gaining-momentum-with-interest-from-state-school-northland-college> that it wants to become a charter school.
Momentum is building as more and more people see what charter schools have to offer.
<https://www.education.govt.nz/have-your-say/consultation-proposal-replace-ncea/details>Have your say on the future of school qualifications
There’s no better indicator of a society’s future success than the amount of knowledge passed from one generation to the next. That requires a robust curriculum and a way of assessing it that holds everyone accountable.
That's why we're proposing to replace NCEA with a simpler, subject-based, exam-focused approach that gives young people the education they deserve – and assesses them on objective standards.
Your voice is vital to ensure the new system is the best it can be, and consultation on the changes is now open.
📢 Submissions close on Monday, 15 September. Have your say now, by clicking here. <https://www.education.govt.nz/have-your-say/consultation-proposal-replace-ncea/details>
<https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/572650/homogenising-maori-as-a-minority-te-pati-maori-mp-takuta-ferris-defends-controversial-social-media-post>Unfit for parliament: Tākuta should go back to fishing
The standard for MPs isn’t complicated. You’re sent to Parliament to represent all New Zealanders. Not just the people who voted for you. Not just the people you like. All of us.
Tākuta Ferris failed that test. His racist and divisive comments weren’t just offensive, they revealed he doesn’t grasp the basic responsibility of his role. The moment an MP decides some New Zealanders aren’t worthy of respect, they’ve disqualified themselves.
Everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes our wrongs can be made right when we show humility, apologise, and change. But Ferris hasn’t done that. He doubled down, then tripled down. At that point, it stops being a misstep and becomes a worldview. Something has to change.
Parliament can handle tough debates and strong disagreements. What it cannot handle is MPs who make a mockery of their duty by weaponising race. That corrodes trust, weakens democracy, and leaves New Zealanders more divided.
Ferris has shown us who he is. He’s unfit for Parliament. He should go back to fishing.
In the weeks to come, we’ll be showcasing some of the hard work our candidates are doing out on the campaign trail – Here's our wonderful candidate Chris Till for Rolleston Ward <https://www.actlocal.nz/christill>
Until Next Week
We have 46 candidates across 25 different councils. Your voting papers should be arriving soon if they haven't already.
Back your ACT Local candidate if there's one in your area and send a message: councils work for ratepayers, not the other way around.
👉 Say g'day at our next event <https://action.act.org.nz/events>
Thanks,
Team ACT
<https://action.act.org.nz/donate>DONATE TODAY <https://action.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