(First published 11th January, 2025: Updated 13th January)
Summary About The Gene Technology Bill
The Gene Technology Bill threatens New Zealand's sovereignty, reputation, and individual rights by enabling mandatory gene-based medical treatments, relaxing democratic safeguards, and eliminating transparency in food labelling.
Key Issues with the Bill:
The Gene Technology Bill introduced to Parliament this week includes the following provisions
Mandatory medical activity authorisations: for a human medicine that is or contains gene technology that has been approved by at least two recognised overseas gene technology regulators.
Emergency authorisations: when there is a real, or imminent threat to the health and safety of people or to the environment, For example, a threat from a disease outbreak, or an industrial spillage. The Minister responsible for the Gene Technology Act (the Minister) will have the power to grant an emergency authorisation.
Fast-Tracking Laws: The Bill passed its first reading on 9th December, 2024. It is open to the public until 17th February, 2025, but it is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2025. This limits public influence.
Ignoring COVID Lessons: Despite pandemic failures and safety concerns, the Bill institutionalises mandates without adequate safety reviews, even before the Royal Commission's Phase Two findings are published.
Foreign Oversight: Health decisions are outsourced to foreign regulators, reducing NZ’s sovereignty and accountability.
Food Safety Risks: Labelling for gene-altered foods is eliminated, denying consumers choice and risking public health.
Erosion of Trust: Non-transparent policies, such as withholding health statistics, damage public confidence in governance.
Democratic Danger: As Dr. Guy Hatchard describesit, the legislation resembles a stealth fascist takeover, centralising power and undermining freedoms.
Safeguards Removed: Early optimism for public safety measures was misplaced — the bill prioritises convenience and external influences over New Zealanders' well-being.
Call to Action:
We must lobby MPs, demand transparency, and advocate for medical autonomy, food safety, and public consultation. Contact MPs, raise awareness, and demand accountability.
Submissions to the Health Select Committee close on 17th February, 2025.
About The Gene Technology Bill
This Bill introduces mandatory medical interventions and grants emergency powers to impose gene-based treatments, threatening informed consent and transparent governance.
Undermining Autonomy and Sovereignty
The Bill enables mandatory interventions based on approvals from foreign regulators like the WHO, undermining the NZ Bill of Rights. It bypasses informed consent and fails to learn from pandemic-era mistakes, where coercive mandates have harmed trust and individuals alike.
Fast-Tracking Legislation
First Reading: Passed on 9th December, 2024.
Public Submissions: Open until 17th February, 2025.
Target for Operation: Fully operational by the end of 2025.
The fast-tracking prioritises the bill, limiting debate and public input. NZ First's support of the bill through coalition agreements with National and ACT makes it harder to oppose, but public pressure could change this.
Here is a detailed analysis of the Bill by Dr Guy Hatchard:
And take a few minutes to watch this video by Dr Hatchard:
Kerri Molloy has done an impressive analysis of the bill and the science surrounding GE:
These are excellent websites for information and please support them — this is a "numbers game":
Before I continue, I want to thank Dr. Guy Hatchard for his analysis of this draft of legislation. His insights have helped us understand its broader implications. Dr. Hatchard reminds us of the importance of vigilance and informed discourse in protecting our freedoms. I agree with his concerns. In fact, what is being proposed in this legislation is alarming and terrifying.
Undermining Medical and Sovereign Autonomy
The Bill enables mandatory interventions based on approvals from foreign regulators like the WHO, undermining the NZ Bill of Rights. It bypasses informed consent and fails to learn from pandemic-era mistakes, where coercive mandates have harmed trust and individuals alike.
Fast-Tracking Legislation
First Reading: Passed on 9th December, 2024.
Public Submissions: Open until 17th February, 2025.
Target for Operation: Fully operational by the end of 2025.
The fast-tracking prioritises the bill, limiting debate and public input. NZ First's support of the bill through coalition agreements with National and ACT makes it harder to oppose, but public pressure could change this.
What You Can Do
To block this Bill, we must engage NZ First positively, highlighting its risks and urging them to reconsider their support. Please write MPs expressing your concerns. Please include the NZ First MPs who are crucial for overturning the bill.
Draft Letter to MPs:
Subject: Please Oppose the Gene Technology Bill
Dear [MP’s Name],
I am deeply concerned about the Gene Technology Bill and urge you to oppose it.
New Zealand's reputation, and its future is as a clean, green land and the producer of high-value GMO-free food. This reputation is vital to our economy and identity. Deregulating genetic engineering weakens this brand, jeopardises international market trust, and harms farmers who increasingly rely on domestic sales and exports of food they produce that consumers are confident is untainted and healthy for them and their loved ones. Numerous studies confirm that GMO food is not wanted by discerning consumers worldwide.
The bill also threatens sovereignty by ceding control of food systems and medical decisions to foreign entities. These provisions could lead to mandates that strip New Zealanders of their right to choose.
Protecting our environment, economy, and freedoms is essential. If NZ First stops this Bill, I will join your party and encourage others to do the same.
Yours sincerely,[Your Full Name][Your Contact Information]
Here is the list of NZ First email addresses to contact:
Additional Actions:
Make a submission to the Health Select Committee by 17th February. Use Dr. Hatchard's template for your submission.
https://hatchardreport.com/submission-template-the-gene-technology-bill/
Here is where you place and complete your submission to the Health Select Committee.
Join Organics New Zealand
Join NZ First https://www.nzfirst.nz/join
Subscribe to Dr Guy Hatchard's reports
Spread the Word: Share this information widely to mobilise public action.
Thanks Gary! Here are some points you may want to consider for your conversations with politicians (or your sub):
1. There have never been any controlled human feeding studies to establish that GE foods (e.g. corn, soy, canola. sugar beet, potatoes, tomatoes, mushrooms, processed foods etc) are safe to eat. The same goes for GE enzymes and GE bacterial/yeast cultures for food additives or food processing. Every single GE "event" is genetically distinct and could throw up a new toxin or allergen. Every single new category of GE organism therefore needs to be thoroughly tested before being released on the market [or just not released at all - my personal preference]
2. Just because you are using gene editing "scissors"…
you're welcome. ordinary Kiwi farmers (conventional, IPM, organic, regenerative) and our biosecurity are put at risk by this dangerous Bill (Gene Technology Bill). We need NZ First to stop supporting this Bill!!!
Our farming family wants to thank you for this excellent article, we have just joined www.concernedfarmersnz.org due to our grave concerns about the controversial and downright dangerous Gene Technology Bill (and the rushed time frame and lack of public consultation, including with farmers/ primary producers. The current Science Minister (supremely unqualified NAT MP Judith Collins) and the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (who has zero qualifications with biosecurity or biological systems) want to make NZ the most deregulated country in the world regarding outdoor GE/GMOs, even more than the permissive USA.
Another huge concern: the nefarious plan of the National Party and ACT to strip local councils of their authority/ jurisdiction re: outdoor GE/GMO experiments, field trials , releases.