Dear Friend,

We’re nearing the end of our Hands Off Our Homes – Stop Central Planning Committees Roadshow Tour (today we are in Pukekohe – details of the event here) and one thing is clear: New Zealanders are shocked once they learn what David Parker and Chris Hipkins are planning to do with our planning laws.

This is Three Waters but even worse.

I'm emailing to ask for your support so we can blow this issue up and publish a four page exposé in tomorrow's NZ Herald – if we can raise the necessary funds by deadline of 7pm today.

The new laws will apply undemocratic/unaccountable co-governce for decision making on laws for what you can do with your home, your farm, your business and your property. 

They would apply Soviet-style intrusive 30-year central plans right down to what sort of businesses are allowed where, and what type of crops and livestock farmers can have in individual paddocks. 

For current and future homeowners, Regional Planning Committees will be able to use climate change goals to make laws on what you can and cannot add or build in your home. These committees will also be bound to uphold new and undefined concepts such as ‘Te Oranga o te Taiao’ and the 'Mana of the air, water, and soil' that will lead to costly court battles, delay, and a less prosperous New Zealand.

Councils – and democratic accountability – are left out in the cold under these ‘Central Planning Committee’ regional models. 

We need to blow this issue up – like we did with Three Waters – if we are to see it properly examined by the media, and the opposition parties. I am asking for your support to make that happen.

Friend, we’ve been working on this hard-hitting, four-page lift out / advertisement which we’ve managed to get the NZ Herald to agree to publish at a special price of $42,500 as a last minute deal for tomorrow's edition. We need to raise the these funds before their deadline of 7pm tonight.

As you’ll see , we haven’t pulled our punches. Here’s the proposed ad (the full version is available on our website here):

Planning law is complex – but it’s a simple message: The existing Resource Management Act is costly and bureaucratic, but at least those making district/city plans are accountable to voters.

Under David Parker’s proposed laws, control of what you can build where (such as height limits on you and your neighbours, or what animals/crops can be put where, and who can take water from aquifers) will be up to undemocratic, unaccountable, co-governed ‘Regional Planning Committees’.

Friend, will you chip-in to get this advert in tomorrow NZ Herald – and other NZME publications?  

>>> Yes, I’ll help sponsor this effort to get in tomorrow’s NZ Herald <<<

Thank you for your support.

Callum Purves, Campaigns Manager @ NZ Taxpayers’ Union

P.S.We are working on Stuff newspapers too but so far they’ve been very difficult. Nevertheless, any excess funds will be used to spread the message in more newspapers and online. Click here to make a confidential and secure donation.

Sent from my iPhone.