New Zealand’s 2026 General Election
Protecting our land’s heritage of a free and democratic society.
We are standing up, so you can stand free.
The 2026 General Election will be another critical test for New Zealand’s democracy.
Across the democratic world, civil liberties are being weakened by laws that promise safety or convenience but rather end up expanding state power and limiting individual freedom.
New Zealand is not immune to this trend.
PILLAR exists to ensure that fundamental rights are not eroded without challenge.
The freedoms that are inalienable to each human being must not be interfered with by the state.
We stand for a New Zealand where freedom is the default, not a privilege granted by the state,
These include freedom of speech, religion, assembly, conscience, privacy, thought and inquiry, as well as equality before the law.
These freedoms are not abstract ideals; they are the foundation of a free and democratic society.
PILLAR’s Focus
Democracy & Freedom Cherished
PILLAR will be on the lookout for relevant policies promoted by each party.
We will advocate for policies that strengthen democracy, uphold the rule of law, and restore trust in our public institutions.
We believe laws must apply equally to all New Zealanders, without division along lines of identity or applied on unequal standards.
Equality before the law is essential to social cohesion and democratic legitimacy.
Opposing Censorship Online and Offline
Pillar will be opposing censorship laws and state overreach, regardless of which political party proposes them.
We will oppose hate speech and hate crime legislation that expands criminal law into matters of opinion and expression. Such laws chill lawful speech, politicise justice, and erode democratic debate.
We are watching overseas governments weaponise so-called hate speech laws to silence dissent, and that mindset is creeping into New Zealand politic.
Whether for the online world or not, these policies are being sold as safety and convenience, but they come at the cost of freedom.
National Security & Sovereignty
PILLAR is also raising the alarm over growing foreign and political interference.
Following recent warnings from the NZSIS that New Zealand’s threat environment has never been more tense, the organisation is calling for the introduction of a Foreign Influence Registration Scheme.
New Zealanders deserve to know who is influencing decisions inside our democracy.
Transparency is not radical. It is the bare minimum for a free and sovereign country.
Why PILLAR is Involved
PILLAR stands for Protecting Individual Life, Liberty, and Rights. Privacy is not a side issue - it is central to human dignity, democratic participation, and freedom of association.
Throughout the 2026 election year, PILLAR will provide independent commentary, research, public education, and direct advocacy.
The Big Picture
PILLAR will be your voice of reason this election year.
Our team will engage with political parties, their policies, candidates, the media, and the public to ensure that civil liberties remain central to New Zealand’s political debate.
Democracy cannot function when fundamental freedoms are treated as negotiable. We will stand up for this.
