One year of PILLAR. And we’re just getting started.
One year ago, PILLAR officially began.
We had a name. A mission. A conviction that New Zealand needed an organisation willing to stand firm for individual life, liberty and rights.
We didn’t know how much could happen in twelve months.
And today, I simply want to say thank you.
Because PILLAR exists because people like you decided this work was worth backing.
In our first year, together we have:
Built a community of 15,000+ people across our platforms, with our content viewed more than 5.1 million times.
Generated 110+ media appearances and mentions,including the NZ Herald, RNZ, TVNZ, Reuters and more.
Published five policy submissions, hitting our first 18-month target early.
Drafted two pieces of legislation, the Foreign Interference Transparency Bill and the Digital Bill of Rights Act. Our FIT Bill has already entered Parliament’s Members’ Bill ballot.
Taken on our first strategic legal case and provided advice, advocacy and support to New Zealanders navigating civil liberties issues.
Taken PILLAR onto university campuses, into public events and community forums, helping dozens of young New Zealanders enrol to vote along the way.
Built relationships across Parliament, meeting with MPs, ministerial staff and senior public servants while contributing policy advice across multiple pieces of legislation.
That is year one.
Not bad for an organisation that didn't exist twelve months ago.
But I don't want this email to just be about looking backwards.
Year two needs to be bigger.
There are more legal cases to take on. More legislation to shape. More students to reach. More New Zealanders to equip. More campaigns to run. And more moments where someone needs to be willing to stand up and say: this freedom matters.
That's where I need your help.
PILLAR has been built overwhelmingly through the generosity of ordinary people who believe in what we're doing. More than 50 individuals have already financially backed this work, and growing recurring support is one of our biggest priorities as we enter our second year.
So, as we celebrate our first birthday, would you consider helping make year two possible?
Whether it's $10 a month, $50 a month, $100 a month or a one-off gift, every contribution gives us more capacity to stand, speak, shift and strengthen.
Would you consider helping us break ground and defend civil liberties for another year?
We're incredibly grateful for what you've helped us build.
But we're not building PILLAR for one year.
We're building something that can stand for decades.
Thank you for standing with us. Here's to year two.
