Private property rights should be enshrined in the Bill of Rights Act
The Property Council has lodged a submission in support of the New Zealand Bill of Rights (Private Property Rights)
Amendment Bill, supporting a proposal to recognise the right to own property and the right not be arbitrarily deprived
of property. National Director Connal Townsend said the Property Council’s submission recognises the importance of
private property ownership.
“Although we assume that the right to own property is recognised by Parliament, there is in fact scant statutory
recognition of that right. Recognition under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act is the first step towards protecting the
rights and freedoms of private property owners.
“From the time when the Magna Carta was signed, private property rights have been recognised and protected. Even the
Treaty of Waitangi signed in 1840 recognised the importance of land ownership. The Maori translation of Article Two of
the Treaty states that Maori were guaranteed the right to exercise their chieftainship over their lands, villages, and
all properties and treasures.
“If our forebears were wise enough to value private property rights hundreds of years ago, then the New Zealand
Parliament should do the same today, by passing the bill currently before the Select Committee,” Connal Townsend said.
The New Zealand Bill of Rights (Private Property Rights) Amendment Bill is currently before the Justice and Electoral
Committee.
End.