#10: Melanie Nelson - Libertarianism in legislation: Unpacking the Regulatory Standards Bill

Weaving our Worlds

In this episode, the tables are turned. Thanks to Bryan Bruce Investigates for initiating and sharing this podcast episode where he interviews Melanie Nelson, the host of the Weaving our Worlds podcast and the Coherent podcast.
In this episode of Head to Head, Bryan Bruce interviews Melanie Nelson, a writer, researcher, translator and consultant specialising in the application of te Tiriti to environmental and conservation issues. Together, they delve into the Regulatory Standards Bill, a proposed piece of legislation that Melanie describes as a “libertarian manifesto” with significant implications for Aotearoa New Zealand's future.

They explore the bill's origins, its potential to override key pillars of our lawmaking like te Tiriti o Waitangi, and its alignment with the ACT Party’s ideology. Melanie highlights the risks of embedding libertarian principles into legislation, the impacts on collective responsibilities, and the bill's broader implications for environmental and social justice. The conversation also connects the Regulatory Standards Bill with the controversial Treaty Principles Bill, positioning them as two sides of the same ideological coin.

Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on how these legislative changes could shape New Zealand's political and social landscape for generations to come. Don't miss these insights and resources for taking action before consultation closes on January 13th.

Join us for a deep dive into one of the most far-reaching policy proposals in recent New Zealand history—and why your voice matters before the January 13th submission deadline.
You can buy Melanie a coffee to support her work!
Resources
Explainer and Submission Guide on the Regulatory Standards Bill here
You can follow Melanie's work on Substack, where both paid and free subscription options are available. Your support, if you’re able, is greatly appreciated.