The IPU has released the second part of its groundbreaking Parliamentary report on religion and belief.
Part 2 of the report, Engagement with religion and belief by parliamentarians underscores the vital role of MPs in fostering peaceful, just and inclusive societies. It explores how engagement with religion and belief can strengthen the rule of law, uphold human rights, and promote sustainable development for all.
It complements Part 1 of the report Institutional engagement with religion and belief by parliaments, which was published in May 2023 ahead of the inaugural IPU Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue in Marrakesh, Morocco. This first part examined how religion and belief are institutionally present in parliamentary life by looking at constitutional provisions, parliamentary committees, consultation mechanisms and traditions reflecting religious or belief identities.
The new report is timely, with escalating conflicts around the world which, although primarily political, are also marked by the weaponization of religion to sow divisions among different communities living side by side.
Good parliamentary practices from around the world
Part 2 delves into the ways parliamentarians interact with religion and belief to promote inclusivity and peace. Drawing on key informant interviews, submissions from parliaments and contributions from religious leaders and global experts, the report highlights good practices and lessons learned from parliaments around the world. It also examines select policy areas where religion and belief intersect with parliamentary functions, such as legislation, oversight, representation and, increasingly, parliamentary diplomacy.
Key objectives of the report include:
- Facilitating mutual learning among parliaments about diverse approaches to religion and belief.
- Encouraging the adoption of good practices that foster inclusion and peaceful coexistence.
- Promoting scrutiny of legislation to ensure alignment with international human rights commitments.
- Strengthening inter-parliamentary and interfaith dialogue to better protect fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.
Upholding rights and countering hate speech
The report reaffirms the right to freedom of religion or belief as protected under international law, while acknowledging ongoing challenges in its realization. Parliaments are urged to play a proactive role in promoting and protecting this right, both formally through legislation and informally through cross-party or international networks.
In response to rising hate speech and identity-based hatred, the report outlines human rights and soft law standards around freedom of expression, and shares practical tools for parliamentarians, such as codes of conduct, public advocacy, educational activities and dialogue initiatives.
Special attention is given to the rights and inclusion of religious and belief minorities, with recommendations for legislative action, oversight and public engagement. The report also highlights the key role of parliaments in promoting gender equality and women's rights, and where the full enjoyment of these rights intersects with religion or belief.
All roads lead to Rome
The report is released ahead of the Second Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue, in which the IPU is leveraging its global convening power to bring together parliamentarians, religious leaders, international experts and civil society from 19 to 21 June 2025 in Rome, Italy.
The Conference is being organized by the IPU and the Italian Parliament in cooperation with Religions for Peace under the theme Strengthening trust and embracing hope for our common future.
The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. It was founded in 1889 as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU comprises 181 national Member Parliaments and 14 regional parliamentary bodies. It promotes peace, democracy and sustainable development. It helps parliaments become stronger, younger, greener, more innovative and gender-balanced. It also def
Statistics NZ Full Information – Modernising New Zealand’s data system
Wide-ranging improvements to the data system will modernise and future-proof how New Zealand’s economic and population statistics are produced.
Minister of Statistics Hon Dr Shane Reti announced today sweeping changes that will see Stats NZ moving in a bold, future-focused direction to provide more timely and relevant data.
“People’s information needs are changing and today’s announcements ensure we keep delivering data that improves lives today and for generations to come,” Acting Stats NZ Chief Executive and Government Statistician Mary Craig said.
The changes include moving to an admin-data-first census and publishing a monthly consumers price index (CPI), as well as a programme of work to meet new international standards for macroeconomic statistics.
“As New Zealand faces widespread and long-term social, economic, environmental, and technological change, people’s need for information is growing exponentially.
“These changes will help ensure Stats NZ continues to adapt and provide high-quality information that supports New Zealand’s economic and social wellbeing,” Craig said.
New Zealand’s census is evolving
Cabinet has endorsed the Government Statistician’s decision to prioritise the use of information already collected by government, known as administrative (admin) data, for future censuses.
The approach builds on the combined survey and admin data models successfully used since the 2018 Census.
“This is an exciting and necessary change. The traditional way of running a nationwide survey on census day can no longer be justified, due to rising costs, declining survey response rates, and disruption from events, like Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023,” Craig said.
“From 2030, key New Zealand census data and statistics will be produced every year, in a cost-effective and sustainable way.
“By tapping into information New Zealanders have already provided, we will deliver more relevant, useful, and timely data to help inform quality planning and decision making.”
Surveys will continue to play an important role, with a new annual survey asking census-type questions of a small percentage of the population.
“The new survey will be set up to be highly flexible, with opportunities to change content and topics much more frequently.”
Stats NZ will also work in partnership with smaller population groups to develop tailored solutions that will help meet their information needs.
Stats NZ is working together with other government agencies to ensure that legislation supports the new approach and to make sure the admin data collected improves in quality over the next five to 10 years.
“Ensuring the ongoing privacy and protection of data is a priority as we introduce these improvements,” Craig said.
Modernising economic statistics to support economic growth and social investment
New funding of $16.5 million over four years will enable Stats NZ to deliver a monthly CPI from the beginning of 2027.
“The CPI is a key indicator of economic health and is used in monetary policy to set interest rates and index contracts, and influences things like benefit payments.
“More frequent inflation data is important for policy, forecasting, and informing decisions that help address cost-of-living pressures and drive economic growth.
“We are pleased to be taking this next step in enhancing our economic data,” Craig said.
To ensure Stats NZ successfully delivers a monthly CPI, we are already updating our prices technology platform and building up the project team.
Budget 2025 also includes tagged contingency funding of just over $61 million over four years to meet new international standards for macroeconomic statistics.
The changes are extensive, and Stats NZ is preparing a detailed business case which, once approved, will see the new standards implemented by 2030.
“The Measuring a Modern Economy programme will allow us to adopt the standards at the same time as our major trading partners, and ensure New Zealand has reliable data that provides a clearer picture of the economy,” Craig said.
More information
www.stats.govt.nz/modernising-the-census provides more information about the changes to modernise the census.
Human rights in Aotearoa on a downward trend – Amnesty International
Source: Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand
GUARDIANS TOPS GLOBAL RANKINGS – NZ Super Fund
The New Zealand Super Fund has again been awarded a perfect score in the annual GSR (governance, sustainability, resilience) scoreboard published by international sovereign wealth fund experts GlobalSWF.
Introduced in 2020, GlobalSWF’s GSR scoreboard ranks sovereign wealth funds and public pension funds against 25 criteria including transparency and accountability, governance structure and processes, ethical standards and policies, and alignment with sustainable development goals.
The Guardians is one of nine sovereign investors to sit at the top of this year’s scoreboard. In preparing these rankings, GlobalSWF analyses 200 Sovereign Wealth Funds and Public Pension Funds, which manage US$ 29.4 trillion on behalf of 80 countries. It is the fifth successive year the Super Fund has received full marks.
Jo Townsend, CEO of Super Fund manager the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, said the GSR scoreboard is based on a comprehensive evaluation of factors that are important to the Fund’s long-term success.
“I am very pleased to see our team’s hard work recognised by GlobalSWF,” said Ms Townsend.
More information on Global SWF and the GSR scoreboard can be found here: https://nzsuperfund.cmail19.com/t/d-l-skdilud-hujkdust-n/
Weather News – Rain or shine, Matariki brings us together – MetService
Covering period of Wednesday 18th – Monday 23rd June – After a week of crisp, cold days, MetService is forecasting a shift in the weather as rain moves over the country on Thursday, and showers lingering into Friday morning. While some spots start the day under cloud with a few showers about, the eastern South Island is shaping up as the best spot for viewing Matariki or Puanga— and others may get lucky with clearer skies too.
On Thursday, rain and wind spread across the North Island, with wetter weather expected out west. Eastern areas like Wairarapa, Tairāwhiti Gisborne, and Hawke’s Bay will also see some rain, though it should be brief as the weather system moves through.
So, what does this mean for Friday morning’s Matariki and Puanga viewing?
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane says, “Showers will still be hanging around, especially in western parts of both islands and the upper North Island, and with showers comes cloud. But there may be gaps – and some spots might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse. Check out MetService’s Cloud Forecast for the outlook for your spot.”
“Eastern parts of the South Island look most promising – Canterbury near the coast, Marlborough, and maybe even Nelson,” Makgabutlane says.
The rest of Friday will bring a similar mix of passing showers and dry spells.
“But rain or shine, this year’s theme Matariki mā Puanga – Celebrating Together will still ring true, giving us a chance to gather indoors or out,” Makgabutlane says.
The weekend looks to bring a classic Kiwi winter pattern: a few showers here and there, but also plenty of fine breaks.
“The rain radar will be your friend this long weekend! There will be chances to enjoy some time outdoors,” Makgabutlane adds.
Inland Otago and the Mackenzie Basin have been sitting under low cloud and cold conditions. While Saturday might bring a brief improvement, the cloud could return before the weekend’s out. Overnight temperatures will reflect that too – after a short-lived increase, Sunday morning looks to dip below zero again.
First Responders – New World Victoria Park fire update #6
Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Legal Issues – Charges filed by Maritime NZ against KiwiRail following investigation into 2024 grounding of Interislander ferry north of Picton
Maritime NZ has filed two charges against KiwiRail after completing a comprehensive and wide-ranging investigation into the grounding of the Interislander ferry, Aratere last year.
The Aratere grounded just north of Picton on 21 June last year, it had 47 people on-board at the time. Thankfully, all passengers and crew were safely returned to shore. The ferry was re-floated the following evening.
Maritime NZ’s Chief Executive, Kirstie Hewlett, says the two charges filed against KiwiRail under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 relate to failures by the operator to keep crew and passengers safe while on-board the ferry.
“This was a complex incident and important investigation given it focussed on KiwiRail bringing in new systems to older vessels and broader safety management. It required us to look at systems, policies and procedures, culture, within KiwiRail in relation to the incident. A significant number of interviews were conducted, as well as collating and reviewing a substantial amount of relevant documentation and evidence.
“The time taken to undertake this investigation, collate and review the evidence, and decide on compliance action is consistent with other complex and major incidents.
As we have now filed charges in court, we cannot talk about what our investigation found,” Kirstie Hewlett says.
Charges:
Charge 1: s48 charge – in that it had a duty as a PCBU, namely to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of those passengers and crew who would sail aboard the Aratere and that failure exposed crew members and passengers to the risk of death or serious injury. Maximum penalty $1.5m
Charge 2: s49 charge under HSWA – in that it had a duty as a PCBU, failed to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of those passengers and crew who would sail aboard the Aratere. Maximum penalty: $500,000
Advocacy – Statement from the Palestine Forum of New Zealand
Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand
The Palestine Forum of New Zealand notes with deep appreciation the public statement issued today by ninety‑five New Zealand lawyers urging the Government to adopt a stronger stance on Israel amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
We stand in solidarity with these respected members of the legal profession who, in highlighting international law, human rights, and the principles underpinning New Zealand’s foreign policy, are calling for moral and political leadership from our nation.
Their call comes at a critical juncture: New Zealand’s vote at the UN in support of the resolution recommending Israel’s withdrawal from occupied territories was a step in the right direction. However, it must now be followed by coherent action—politically, diplomatically, and legally—consistent with our international obligations scoop.co.nz+12scoop.co.nz+12scoop.co.nz+12.
We concur with the lawyers’ analysis:
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That Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land violates international law.
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That increasing violence and civilian suffering, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank, demand concrete responses.
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That New Zealand’s standing as a principled actor in world affairs calls for both clear condemnation of abuses and active support for measures that uphold international law, including:
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Support for ICC proceedings and arrest warrants for war crimes suspects;
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The use of targeted sanctions;
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Suspension of government contracts and investment ties with entities complicit in occupation;
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Advocacy for an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and humanitarian visas for Palestinians fleeing conflict.
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As legal voices within our own legal fraternity have acknowledged, our Government holds not only a right but a duty to lead—ahead of electoral cycles—by placing human rights and international justice at the heart of its foreign policy.
We call on the Government to honour these principles by engaging thoughtfully with the lawyers' briefing, committing publicly to concrete measures, and joining the global community in holding violators of international law to account.
Today’s call by our country’s legal community is both timely and courageous. We affirm their voices. And we renew our call for New Zealand to do the same.
Maher Nazzal
Palestine Forum of New Zealand