Dr Dean Knight
@drdeanknight.bsky.social
⟦ law + govt ⟧ ⟦ coffee + kai ⟧ ⟦ critic + conscience ⟧ ⟦ rugby + rugby ⟧ ⟦ rainbows + unicorns ⟧ — usual disclaimers apply
To repeat, we need to be wary of false prophets who are trying to whip up a fictional constitutional crisis; the claims of activism are overegged and are based a radical conception of the separation of powers at odds with years-and-years of tradition here. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/...
Lovely few days visiting my sis and fam at their new home in Lake Hāwea. 🏠⛰️
I don't get this from @qiulae.bsky.social? There's no obligation -- constitutionally -- that the largest party has first dibs. And I don't understand the rationale -- politically -- either? I'd like to hear more about justification etc esp as their are many choices. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
I feel so much sympathy and aroha for Kerrin. I can’t really form coherent thoughts. Family lives and histories are never clean. I wrote this almost 10 years ago, and it seems especially relevant today x thespinoff.co.nz/atea/12-11-2... thespinoff.co.nz/atea/12-11-2...
I saw the mountain erupt: a Kawerau childhood | The Spinoff
Morgan Godfery was born to a teenage mother and gang father in Kawerau, New Zealand's poorest town. He recounts the experience in this essay from the newly published Journal of Urgent Writing, 2017.
thespinoff.co.nz
I don't get this from @qiulae.bsky.social? There's no obligation -- constitutionally -- that the largest party has first dibs. And I don't understand the rationale -- politically -- either? I'd like to hear more about justification etc esp as their are many choices. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Important explainer from Geddis here. In the event of a hung Parliament — where the parties are unable to form a government after the election — dissolving Parliament for a fresh election requires majority support in the House, because the incumbent PM is subject to the caretaker convention etc.
The Spinoff@thespinoff.bsky.social · 4d agoWhat happens if this tight election delivers a hung parliament?
The High Court has ruled regulations banning new prescriptions of puberty blockers for young people with gender dysphoria were unlawful.
Puberty blocker restrictions for gender-diverse youth overturned by High Court
The High Court has ruled regulations banning new prescriptions of puberty blockers for young people with gender dysphoria were unlawful.
dlvr.it
Solidarity with my TEU colleagues this afternoon, who are striking for, eg, improved pay and secure conditions etc.
Hang tight on this — there appears to be some ambiguity about whether it will be passed or merely introduced and referred to select committee. Updates soon.
First ruling of the Regulatory Standards Board -- curiously on the Local Authorities (Members' Interest) Act 1968. 🤓 www.regulation.govt.nz/assets/Regul...
A little late getting this on the wires… … here is my article remembering the entrenchment shenanigans etc. 🤓 Dean R Knight, “Three Waters, Manner-and-Form Entrenchment and Aotearoa New Zealand’s Uncodified Constitution” (2026) 37 Public Law Review 9 anzlaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I3d...
A little late getting this on the wires… … here is my article remembering the entrenchment shenanigans etc. 🤓 Dean R Knight, “Three Waters, Manner-and-Form Entrenchment and Aotearoa New Zealand’s Uncodified Constitution” (2026) 37 Public Law Review 9 anzlaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I3d...
This is a worrying breach of Cabinet collective responsibility if reports are true -- but something doesn't add up with the explanations? 🤔
Marc Daalder@marcdaalder.bsky.social · 2w agoSCOOP: A majority of Cabinet wanted New Zealand to back a vote on a new UN pandemic treaty but Winston Peters made the call not to, @samsachdeva.bsky.social reports. NZ and Paraguay were only countries to abstain, US, Israel and Argentina voted against. newsroom.co.nz/2026/10/13/p...
As mentioned, some of our law students had the privilege of participating in the Supremes’ outreach programme this week during the Hoban appeal, including a fascinating Q&A with judges about their work and role. 🤓
Courts of New Zealand@courtsofnz.bsky.social · 2w agoThis week, law students from Victoria University of Wellington took part in a Supreme Court engagement programme. sen.nz/q95ffc
Interesting application for a declaration of legislative inconsistency with the Bill of Rights Act — where the Crown has conceded the legislation is not a justified limitation on rights (as the Attorney reported during the parliamentary process).
RNZ News Feeds@rnzrss.bsky.social · 3w agoHigh Court urged to acknowledge Bill of Rights breach in recent electoral changes
And another significant appointment in the pre-election period… 🤦🏼♂️
Beehive NZ@beehivenz.bsky.social · 3w agoA new release is available from Hon Shane Jones.
The Act/NZF manifesto proposals to abolish the Waitangi Tribunal or end its contemporary claims jurisdiction are concerning for a number of reasons. Esp troubling is the claim (here eg from NZF) that the tribunal is interfering in the law-making process in an undemocratic way.
The Act/NZF manifesto proposals to abolish the Waitangi Tribunal or end its contemporary claims jurisdiction are concerning for a number of reasons. Esp troubling is the claim (here eg from NZF) that the tribunal is interfering in the law-making process in an undemocratic way.
