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Welcome to Unite New Zealand

Lee Taituha B.Sc, M.Sc (Hons)

Founder, Unite NZ & The Constitution of New Zealand

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  • What is Unite New Zealand? Is it just another political party standing for Parliament?
    Unite New Zealand is not just another political party that would be limited only to standing within the current New Zealand parliamentary system. Instead, Unite New Zealand proposes an entirely new structure of government, a constitutional republic, to replace the current flawed New Zealand parliamentary system. Therefore, the flagship proposal of Unite New Zealand is the written constitution of New Zealand. Download the constitution at unitenz.org. Unite New Zealand is firstly a community-based movement of concerned Kiwis from regions across New Zealand, including Kiwis living abroad, who want to make life better for their children's future and who love New Zealand. We know that the last thing New Zealand needs right now is another typical or even well-intentioned political party making promises they can't deliver through the current faulty New Zealand parliamentary system. Nothing has worked because the actual structure of government which all political parties attempt to operate within, is itself entirely flawed, simply because we are without a single written constitution of New Zealand. The proposed written constitution of New Zealand does not require political parties, however, nor does it abolish current or future political parties, but rather This constitution of New Zealand enables individuals and independent candidates more opportunities and the freedom from existing party structures and pressures to present better and more improved policy options for all New Zealanders to consider. Citizens would therefore be able to stand for leadership in the Congress, the legislature, or the presidency of New Zealand, the executive. either with or without membership in a political party. To ensure the proposed written constitution is clearly understood and openly available for consideration by all New Zealanders, Unite New Zealand is also an educational campaign with the written constitution itself serving as the new civics education curriculum for New Zealand. We unitedly believe that educating our future generations to care for and take upon themselves a special personal responsibility to their families, communities and country is the most proven way to ensure peace, safety and prosperity. This has been the source of our success in the past and can be so again. But now, with the added protection, strength and stability of a written constitution as a constant self-correcting compass and guide to prevent us from falling backwards again. Therefore, we invite all New Zealanders to read, ask the tough questions and debate the merits of this written constitution of New Zealand, including the many new and improved policy options available. And for you or others you know to consider standing for the Office of President and or the Congress of New Zealand. Download The Constitution of New Zealand at www.unitenz.org
  • Why should I bother reading and supporting this written constitution of New Zealand? Isn't it just more political words on paper?
    Of any of the proposals you have ever bothered to read before, we believe this to be the most important for you and your family's future. Unite New Zealand encourages all New Zealanders who have concern for the future and a love for New Zealand to read, ask questions about this proposed written constitution. It is self-evident that our current social instability and financial under performance is simply because we have never had a single written constitution to enable us to self-correct and stabilize our economy. communities and our entire way of life. No matter which political party you voted for, none of their policies have worked, and nothing is improving. Instead, our communities are sliding backwards. This is difficult for many to admit openly, but they know privately that Unite New Zealand is correct in these assertions, as inconvenient as this may be for us all to hear. So many New Zealanders have now given up entirely on getting better public policy. Others hope that somehow voting for the same political party that things will improve. Or many of us have voted for a party or candidate just to keep another worse alternative or coalition out of parliament. Many Kiwis are left with this mediocre false choice. of voting against something through exasperation instead of voting for something through inspiration. As a result, New Zealand has never been more socially divided and in more dire need of leadership through clarity, confidence and stability. This proposed written constitution of New Zealand delivers exactly those outcomes, starting with complete clarity of leadership. For example, this written constitution ensures all families have the security of a tax-free job guarantee and tax-free pension to stabilize prices, and 0% interest home loans needing only the equivalent of a fraction of one income stream, to service those loans. These aren't merely fleeting policies that can be promised and reneged upon by a politician, but are constitutional guarantees, regardless of any candidate, party or government. The constitution of any civilization, society and nation must be written, to be readily and clearly understood by all and found in one complete written document. History has proven that any person, group or even well-intentioned government without a single written constitution will make up separated laws on their own to gain power and control without the people having any say except ultimately by forceful costly and destructive social revolutions. However, once a constitution is entirely written down in one place and in the language understood by all the people, then the power contained in that constitution and laws is peacefully passed freely from the writers directly to the readers through the simple act of reading, then debating, and understanding. The knowledge and understanding transfers and limits political power with the written words defining the source, confining its use, and refining the process in which that power can or cannot be used. All cultures in history have accepted governing texts as crucially foundational, and constitutional rocks that their society can be anchored to for guidance and clarity, especially during difficult times. Imagine the cavemen without their etchings and symbols on their cave walls, recording seasonal activities, hunting and gathering instructions. Likewise, imagine Christianity without the Bible, Islam without the Quran, Judaism without the Tanakh, General relativity and quantum theory without written equations, Atheism without secular texts. Written, legal and constitutional words convey clear, objective meaning and not merely the subjective or vague intent of those doing the writing or those doing the interpreting. The process of learning and perfecting this discipline is called Textualism. Unite New Zealand encourages all New Zealanders to be Textualists, meaning we the people as Textualists decide upon the laws we live under based upon the meaning of the actual words at the time they were written, and not just the good intentions of those who we elect to write our laws (Legislators), or those who are appointed to interpret our laws (Judges and Justices). "We are all Textualists now," said Justice Elena Kagan of the United States Supreme Court. Words have meaning, and written words preserve and convey that meaning at the time they were written. For example, the word 'up' has always meant 'up,' and the word down has always meant down. If we wish the word 'up' had another meaning, we simply choose another word that has the meaning we desire. We do not change the original meaning of the actual word 'up' to suit what we, or even a majority, would like or prefer 'up' to mean. This is why important legal documents include a glossary or a list of definitions of the specific words they have written to limit the likelihood of confusion and vagueness for misunderstandings or misinterpretations. Textualism protects the meaning of words relating to our freedom, like our PIN number protects our bank account relating to our savings. The principle of reasonable Textualism is universal whether you're an average citizen reading the written constitution and laws, or whether you are a professional lawyer or justice of the Supreme Court interpreting the words written into laws. Because words have meaning, that meaning is where our freedoms are protected against those who have or wish to gain power through confusing or distorting the meaning of words, especially important words of a people's constitution and laws, pertaining to protection of freedoms, life and death. "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Lord Acton (1830-1902) Without this written constitution of New Zealand, our pre-existing freedoms will continue to be diminished, even through the good and virtuous intentions of people and governments we voluntarily elect. Thousands of years of human history proves that even good and virtuous people will eventually create new powers to protect their existing power. Many corrupt leaders did not begin corrupt. In fact, many leaders of the past began governing with good and virtuous intentions, which might explain why their initial proposals and policies were popular with the people. Through a need to maintain the loyalty, agreement and even the love and affection of the people during difficult times, those leaders' desire for power grew in order to keep public order and protect themselves against any uprising of the people when their policies eventually failed or at least became outdated. "Man naturally desires not only to be loved, but to be lovely." Prof Adam Smith (1723-1790) (The Theory of Moral Sentiments - 1759) Without the clear limits and controls on government provided through the proposed written constitution of New Zealand, it is inevitable and indeed simply human nature that all future governments will always grow so our freedoms will diminish. This natural human tendency is referred to in Latin as libido dominandi or the lust to dominate. The proposed written constitution of New Zealand is the long overdue protection against libido dominandi, and instead the basis to foster more libido liberati, the lust to liberate. "We are a nation of laws and not of men." "Never forget, that it is a constitution that we're expounding." Chief Justice John Marshall of the United States Supreme Court.
  • We're stressed about the cost of living and we never get ahead, no matter how hard we work. Will my family be better off financially through this proposed constitution of New Zealand?
    Yes. In fact, this constitution of New Zealand is the only way that any of us and our families can ever be financially better off in New Zealand. No other proposal can or even attempts to come close to this constitution when it comes to paying the bills and getting ahead in life. For example, Article 2, Section 3, Congress shall write no law limiting access to the basic need for potable water, fresh nutritious food and secure housing. including limits resulting from regulation, taxation, and interest rates. Article 2, Section 8. Congress shall write no law resulting in the taxation of a person's income, (no income tax) or their financial transactions (no GST) and shall not allow the charging of interest, nor end or alter the seventh-year debt jubilee. Unite New Zealand also proposes other specific economic policies pursuant to Article 1, Section 1 of the Constitution of New Zealand, including: Point 1. The 7th year $50,000 private debt jubilee, or for those who are debt-free, $50,000 investment into any business share holding within New Zealand. Point 2. Permanent 0% interest rate in financing. Point 3. 0% income tax and GST. 3.4, a tax-free $1,250 per week transitional job guarantee for all those over the age of 16, and, Point 4. A Tax-Free $1,250 per week pension, for those 64 years and over.
  • I'm sick and tired of being lied to by politicians who never deliver what they promise. Does this proposed written constitution prevent or at least penalize politicians for lying and not delivering on their promises to me?
    Yes. This proposed Constitution of New Zealand makes it unconstitutional for candidates to lie and or, also falsely represent their policy pledges during their campaigns for election and not deliver those policies whilst in office. No other constitution in the world carries the same or any similar protection to the people and citizens of any nation. Refer to The Constitution of New Zealand Article 2, Section 2. All government officials and candidates for public office are subject to prosecution. and punishment of seven years imprisonment for perjury or lying to we the people. It is also important to recognize that not all political candidates are inherently liars, and through the current electoral system, MMP, or mixed member proportional, a candidate may in fact be prevented in honestly following through with their campaign promises. For example, they may not be able to gain other elected candidates' support in the post-election negotiations when a coalition government is being formed. This is a further reason why the proposed constitution of New Zealand must replace the current flawed parliamentary structure, and including MMP, to simply ensure that what was promised in every candidate's campaign can in fact be delivered upon. with promises assured, via Article 2, Section 2 of the Constitution of New Zealand.
  • What about the Treaty? I thought the Treaty of Waitangi, or Te Tiriti o Waitangi, was the agreed and official written constitution of New Zealand.
    No. The Treaty of Waitangi, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, is not the written constitution of New Zealand. In fact, since 1840 until today, the Treaty of Waitangi continues to be argued with no clarity. or consensus of its constitutional power, let alone its actual meaning. There still exists today trenchant and even hostile disagreement as to whether the Treaty or Te Tiriti even has principles, let alone any constitutional power. Some individuals and groups maintain that even to have public debate over the Treaty, Te Tiriti, is inherently racist, depending upon your race or cultural identity. This racial and cultural chilling of the freedom of speech is counter to democracy, which relies entirely upon citizens being able to publicly and openly debate the merits of any policy, law or political matter without fear or favor. Pursuant to the Constitution of New Zealand, Article 3, Section 1, the Constitution of New Zealand is Supreme Law. The Constitution of New Zealand as approved and further amended is supreme law of New Zealand, including supremacy over all previous law, constitutional arrangements, treaties and international agreements. However, the Constitution is entirely amendable. Meaning that if New Zealanders desire for the Treaty of Waitangi to be adopted, included or even to replace this written constitution entirely, then this is provided for in Article 3, Section 3, Constitutional Amendment, Impeachment and Removal of Office. The Constitution of New Zealand is amendable by 'We the People.' Constitutional amendments, or official impeachment and removal proceedings shall be tabled upon agreement of 50% of the members of Congress and approved by 75% of the local councils. The written constitution of New Zealand is therefore teaching us all a crucially important lesson with regards to any form of government we choose. The lesson is this, that it is not what is best or what's right that is important, but who decides what's best and what's right. The Constitution of New Zealand teaches that it is 'We the People' who shall decide. Unite New Zealand believes in progress, but to progress democratically.
  • Does this proposed written constitution of New Zealand protect our democracy while also preventing even a democratically elected majority from gaining too much power?
    Yes. We believe in progress, but to progress democratically. However, history has shown that even democracy, through electing a majority, can also suppress freedoms through the tyranny of the majority, or mob rule. "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others." Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) The Drafters of the original US Constitution were also mindful of the dangers in both rule by a tyrannical minority, a King, Emperor or Monarch, and likewise ruled by a tyrannical majority, a Mob. During the drafting of this written constitution of New Zealand, the leadership of Unite New Zealand recognised this same dilemma. But we were also mindful of the mistakes made and lessons learned across the world, including since 1788 in the case of the US constitution, as the longest standing written constitution in the world. With all its faults, democracy is still the preferred system of governance proposed by Unite New Zealand. But democracy must have clear limits and controls on any majority or elected government. This proposed constitution achieves this at many levels, including clear separation of powers across three co-equal branches of government of Article 1 and A Bill of Limitations and Controls on government of Article 2. More than any other proposal in New Zealand history, this constitution is the protection and assurance of our democracy, but keeps democracy in check in service of 'We the People.' Through the proposed constitution, structure of three articles are also its three principles at the same time. 1. To Define. 2. To Confine, and 3. To Refine Government. In fact, through the Constitution of New Zealand, we now get three co-equal branches of government instead of currently just the two, which means we get double the democracy, but only requiring half the size of government. For example, Article 1, To Define the Structure of Government. Article 1, Section 1, replacing the current 123 MP's of the NZ Parliament with only 67 Members of Congress, whom we elected to only write and not execute the laws of New Zealand on our behalf. Unlike today, the Parliament or Legislature, and the Prime Minister of New Zealand are the same thing, both writing and executing the laws. Under the proposed Constitution of New Zealand, those who write the laws do not execute the laws. This is a clear separation of powers to protect personal freedom and democracy that currently does not exist in New Zealand. Article 1, Section 2. replacing the Prime Minister with the President, who cannot write laws, but only execute the laws Congress writes. The President is separately elected to Congress, which means a further check and balance, and the ability for the people to have more democracy through two separate elections, further diluting down the possibility for excessive government power.

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