Social Justice Aotearoa

31/05/2026

The Government has now passed around 21 laws under urgency, with at least 13 of those pushed through with no select committee process.

That means no public submissions, no expert evidence, and no community voice an approach described by analysts as unprecedented in modern times.

These fast‑tracked laws include major changes to Māori health, smokefree measures, employment rights, environmental protections, and local democracy.

For communities already carrying the weight of inequality and justice‑system harm, removing public scrutiny makes the system even less accountable.

SJA will continue to speak up for transparent, fair, and democratic law‑making because our whānau deserve to be heard.Willie JacksonMatthew Tukaki

The Government has forced more legislation all the way through Parliament under urgency in its first 400 days than any since at least 1987.

29/05/2026

Today marks four years of Social Justice Aotearoa, and what a journey it has been.

Born from lived experience, built through determination, and carried forward by a community that refuses to look away when whānau are hurting, SJA has become a voice, a shield, and a steady hand for people navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives.

Over these four years, SJA has stood beside families in crisis, challenged systems that weren’t listening, and helped countless people find dignity, clarity, and support when they needed it most. None of this happened by accident, it happened because of the relentless mahi, compassion, and courage of our CEO, Jackie Foster, whose leadership continues to shape this kaupapa with heart and integrity.

To everyone who has walked with us, supported us, trusted us, or shared their story with us, thank you.
Four years down, and we’re only getting started.

21/05/2026

🌟 AGM – Sunday 14 June 2026, 12 noon

Kia ora whānau,
Social Justice Aotearoa is holding our Annual General Meeting on Sunday 14 June at 12 noon.

As a charitable trust, we’re always grateful for community support. If you’re interested in our kaupapa or would like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you.

📧 Please email [email protected] for details.Social Justice AotearoaJill DickieSandy Bedford

21/05/2026

Our CEO Jackie did a live submission to the Transport Select Committee today on the Life Jackets Bill.

A great presentation which will change the law.

So proud of you Jackie.

20/05/2026

Fourteen Corrections staff arrested across two Auckland prisons. Fourteen.

This is not acceptable in any justice system that claims to uphold integrity, safety, or public trust.

When the very people tasked with protecting the public and supporting rehabilitation are instead being charged with bribery and bringing contraband into prisons, it exposes a culture that has been allowed to drift far beyond what New Zealanders deserve. These are not “one‑offs”. They are symptoms of a system that has ignored warning signs for far too long.

Social Justice Aotearoa stands with the whānau, frontline staff, and communities who expect better. We acknowledge the many Corrections officers who do act with professionalism every day
, but we will never stay silent when corruption is uncovered inside state‑run or privately‑run facilities.

Accountability cannot stop at the individual arrests. It must extend to leadership, oversight, recruitment, training, and the culture that allowed this behaviour to take root.

A justice system is only as strong as the integrity of the people within it. New Zealanders deserve transparency, consequences, and meaningful reform not excuses.

Social Justice Aotearoa will continue to call this out, loudly and consistently, until the system is worthy of the trust placed in it.

The arrests included both corrections officers and senior corrections officers, according to the Department of Corrections.

06/05/2026

Scrapping the BSA means less independent oversight of what goes to air in Aotearoa. Complaints will go to industry bodies with no legal powers. That’s a big shift for fairness, accuracy, and public trust.Social Justice Aotearoa

Regime 'designed for a broadcasting environment that is rapidly disappearing' – Goldsmith.

25/04/2026

Today, we pause as a nation to honour the courage, sacrifice, and service of the men and women who served at Gallipoli and in every conflict since. ANZAC Day is not just a date in our history it is a reminder of the human cost of war, the families forever changed, and the generations who carried the weight of service so we could live with the freedoms we have today.

This afternoon, I had the privilege of laying a wreath on behalf of Social Justice Aotearoa. As I placed it at the memorial, I thought of the young soldiers who never came home, the whānau who waited for news that never arrived, and the communities who rebuilt themselves through grief, resilience, and unity.

ANZAC Day calls us to remember but also to reflect. To honour the fallen by committing ourselves to peace, fairness, and the protection of every person’s dignity. Their legacy is not only carved in stone; it lives in the way we treat one another, stand up for justice, and ensure no one is left behind.

Lest we forget.

25/04/2026

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

Such an important day for Aotearoa, remembering all who have fought for not only our country but for the freedom of everyone.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

01/04/2026

Today SJA wants to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible Jono Ridler, a man whose determination, courage, and purpose have captured the hearts of people across Aotearoa.

Jono has taken on one of the most demanding physical and mental challenges imaginable: a world‑record North Island swim, pushing his body to its absolute limits to shine a light on something far bigger than himself. His journey isn’t just about distance or endurance, it’s about conviction, kaitiakitanga, and refusing to look away from the state of our oceans.

As he completes this historic swim and marches toward Parliament, he carries with him a message we all need to hear: our moana is in crisis, and protecting it requires action, accountability, and collective will.

Jono’s courage reminds us what one person can do when they decide that “enough is enough.”
His mahi is a gift to future generations, and his example is a challenge to all of us to step up, speak out, and protect the taonga we share.

Ngā mihi nui, Jono.
Your strength, your heart, and your purpose inspire Aotearoa.
We stand with you, on land, at sea, and all the way to Parliament.Live OceanWillie JacksonWinston PetersMatthew TukakiGinny Andersen MPMark Mitchell MPDavid SeymourShane JonesChris Hipkins MPChristopher LuxonChlöe Swarbrick

18/02/2026

Today, we join millions around the world in mourning the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson — a towering figure in the global struggle for civil rights, dignity, and equality.

Reverend Jackson dedicated his life to challenging injustice wherever it appeared. From marching alongside Dr Martin Luther King Jr., to championing voting rights, economic justice, and racial equality across generations, his voice helped reshape the moral landscape of the modern world. His courage, his clarity, and his unwavering commitment to human rights inspired movements far beyond the United States.

Social Justice Aotearoa acknowledges his extraordinary contribution to civil rights and honours the legacy he leaves behind. His work reminds us that progress is never guaranteed — it is earned through collective action, moral conviction, and the refusal to accept inequality as inevitable.

To his whānau, his community, and all who carry his mission forward, we extend our deepest sympathy. A great leader has left us, but his message endures: keep hope alive, and keep fighting for justice.

Moe mai rā, Reverend Jackson. Your legacy lives on in every community that continues the struggle for fairness, dignity, and human rights.

President Trump also remembers Jackson as a "force of nature" with "lots of personality, grit and street smarts".