CITIZENS NEWS

New Zealand’s internet shake-up: Free speech fears amid "Te Tiriti" domain rule overhaul

By willowt // 2025-03-06

• InternetNZ, the organization managing New Zealand's .nz domain, is proposing significant constitutional changes to become a "Te Tiriti-centric organization," sparking intense debate about potential censorship and ideological control of the internet.
• The proposed reforms have drawn fierce opposition from free speech advocates who argue that the changes could undermine the open and democratic nature of the internet, with concerns that the new constitution could impose ideological conformity and eliminate harm on the internet.
• The debate centers around the incorporation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi into InternetNZ's constitution, with critics suggesting that this move is more about advancing a political agenda than honoring the treaty, potentially stifling free expression.
• InternetNZ President Stephen Judd defends the changes as a modernization effort to address systemic racism and ensure the organization reflects current times. He emphasizes transparency and collaboration in the review process, insisting that the organization will not engage in censorship.

In a move that has sparked heated debate across New Zealand, InternetNZ, the non-profit organization responsible for managing the country’s .nz domain, is proposing a constitutional overhaul that critics say could pave the way for censorship and ideological control of the internet. The proposed changes, which aim to make InternetNZ a “Te Tiriti-centric organization,” have drawn fierce opposition from free speech advocates, who warn that the reforms could undermine the open and democratic nature of the internet. The controversy comes at a time when New Zealand’s digital landscape is already under scrutiny. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the country gained notoriety for its stringent restrictions, both offline and online. Now, as the world moves on from the pandemic, the legacy of that era—marked by heightened government control and surveillance—appears to linger in New Zealand’s approach to internet governance.

The Te Tiriti connection

At the heart of the debate is Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the 1840 treaty between the British Crown and Māori chiefs that established New Zealand as a British colony. While the treaty remains a cornerstone of New Zealand’s national identity, its incorporation into InternetNZ’s constitution has raised eyebrows. Critics argue that the move is less about honoring the treaty and more about advancing a political agenda that could stifle free expression. InternetNZ President Stephen Judd insists that the proposed changes are about modernizing the organization and addressing systemic racism identified in a 2022 review. “Thirty years ago, nobody knew what the internet would become. Times have changed, and our constitution needs to reflect that,” Judd said. He emphasized that the review process has been collaborative and transparent, with multiple opportunities for member feedback. However, opponents see the reforms as a thinly veiled attempt to impose ideological conformity. Former District Court judge David Harvey, a member of the Free Speech Union, warned in a newsletter that the new constitution would make InternetNZ “co-governed” and “constitutionally required to implement policies that will eliminate harm on the internet.” Harvey’s concerns have resonated with many, leading to a surge in InternetNZ membership as free speech advocates rally to block the changes.

Censorship concerns

The Free Speech Union has been particularly vocal in its opposition, accusing InternetNZ of setting itself up as “judge and jury” over online content. Union CEO Jonathan Ayling told RNZ that the proposed constitution is “fundamentally undemocratic, ideological and primed for censorship.” Ayling pointed to the requirement that board members “have knowledge of Te Tiriti and support our goal to be a Te Tiriti-centric organization” as evidence of ideological gatekeeping. “The fact that any member who does not agree with InternetNZ being a Te Tiriti-centric organization is ineligible for the board is deeply concerning,” he said. InternetNZ has pushed back against these claims, stating that the constitutional review is focused on organizational governance and will not alter how domain names are managed. Judd reiterated that the organization can only remove a domain under very limited circumstances, such as court orders or fraudulent registrations. “We are not going to censor .nz—we never have, we never will,” he said.

A battle for the internet’s future

The debate over InternetNZ’s constitution is more than just a bureaucratic squabble—it’s a battle for the soul of the internet in New Zealand. On one side are those who believe the internet should be a free and open space, governed by technical expertise rather than political ideology. On the other are those who argue that the internet must reflect New Zealand’s cultural values and protect users from harm. Amber Craig, a former InternetNZ member who left the organization in 2021 over its handling of online racism, supports the reforms. “No one’s actually talking about taking down sites,” she said. “What they’re talking about is how do we be more inclusive and accessible to everyone because the internet is for everyone.” But for free speech advocates like David Farrar, a long-time InternetNZ member, the proposed changes represent a dangerous shift. “My only desire is to stop the proposed constitution and possibly put forward some amendments with others which will preserve the current role of InternetNZ and not acting as a sort of judge and jury on internet content,” Farrar said. As InternetNZ prepares for a special general meeting to vote on the changes, the stakes could not be higher. The outcome will not only determine the future of New Zealand’s internet but also set a precedent for how other nations balance free speech and cultural values in the digital age. In a world where the internet is increasingly seen as a battleground for ideological control, New Zealand’s internet shake-up serves as a cautionary tale—and a rallying cry for those who believe that free speech must remain the cornerstone of the digital world. Sources include: ReclaimTheNet.org rnz.co.nz NZHearld.co.nz

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