In December 2024, the Government introduced the Gene Technology Bill. The Bill has been developed from policy that proposes to remove existing rules around gene technology use in Aotearoa that will lead to the deregulation of GMOs in Aotearoa.

Gene technology involves changing, controlling and manipulating the genes of living beings, such as plants, animals, bacteria and even soil microbes. The objective is to encourage these genes to behave in specific ways.

At Papawhakaritorito Trust, we Say No To GMOs in any form. It’s why we are advocating to Stop The Gene Technology Bill.

We believe this is a reckless, rushed and deeply flawed bill. It has been fast-tracked by politicians working at the hands of life science corporations and tramples on the mana of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The Bill is based on three priorities in the National Party’s election manifesto to:

• End the effective ban on GE and GM
• Create a dedicated regulator to ensure safe and ethical use of biotechnology
• Streamline approvals for trials of the use of non-GE and GM biotechnology

The policy is based on politics and economic imperatives alone. It does not cite evidence and research nor is it developed through proper engagement with Māori and our mātauranga.

If passed into law, altered genes will quickly pervade our soil, seed and kai systems – impacting on the mauri and whakapapa of Papatūānuku and Hineahuone.

It’s why we are encouraging everyone who believes in our purpose of elevating Indigenous seed, soil and food sovereignty to stand up and have your say by making a submission to the Health Select Committee to Stop The Gene Technology Bill and Keep Aotearoa GMO-Free. Submissions must be made by 17 February 2025. 

Why Say No to Biopiracy in Aotearoa

Gene technology is often touted by global biotech companies as a catch-all solution to the world’s problems. Yet, at its heart, it is a deeply flawed process concentrating wealth and power in the hands of a few. The development of new GMOs is invasive.

GMOs cause harm by:

• Impacting on the mana, mauri and whakapapa of the organism and the inherent balance of te ao Tūroa.
• Removing our right to Kai Atua by taking away a safe and transparent food system.
• Empowering the capitalist patriarchy - companies can take out a patent and be the single, sole owner of the organism, further concentrating wealth and power from our food system to a select powerful few.
• Trampling on tino rangatiratanga by threatening Indigenous seed, soil and food sovereignty
• Destabilising Hua Parakore and the connection to our tūpuna.

The most effective way right now to say no to biopiracy in Aotearoa is to write or present a submission to Stop The Gene Technology Bill.

How to Write a Standout Submission

Perhaps you’ve never written or presented a submission to Parliament before or have and found the process time-consuming and too challenging to finish. As Indigenous scientists, we at the Trust have spent years writing submissions. That’s why we want to support and encourage you by sharing our top tips to write a really great submission. 

All you need to do is get out a pen and paper, follow our 25 tips and then click the link below to make your submission. 

1. Do your background reading first to understand the purpose and the intention of any bill you are writing a submission for.
2. Rather than reading the whole bill, a good shortcut is to read a summary documents. For the Gene Technology Bill, this useful summary has been provided for by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
3. While reading the summary, write down specific words and phrases that are used. For example, the Bill refers to “gene technology”, rather than genetic engineering or genetic modification.
4. Use these words and phrases when you are writing your submission to show that you understand the content of the Bill.
5. Structure your submission before you start to write - map out the key points and put them in a logical sequence.
6. Once you have them in a sequence, you can start writing.
7. Be concise. For a written submission, aim for a length of between 1 – 2 pages. For an oral submission, you will receive 5 – 10 minutes to speak.
8. To help guide the reader through your submission, give it a main heading and break up the copy with sub-headings and bullet points to make it easier to read.
9. A logical way to structure your submission is to follow the same structure as the bill.
10. There are four key points in the Gene Technology Bill, based on the National Party’s election manifesto. These are:
    
    1. Ending the ban on GMOs
    2. Appointing a regulator
    3. Streamlining approvals for trials of non-GE and GM technologies
    4. Ensuring Māori have many seats at the decision making table
11. Refer to these four key points when you are writing your submission.
12. Begin by outlining your opinion – tell the select committee what you think and why you have that opinion.
13. Let them know about what life events have led you to form this opinion.
14. Then proceed to outline the four key points in the Bill (see item 7 above) and share your opinion about each of these key points.
15. Know that it’s okay to use emotive language but steer clear of any disrespectful language that may criticise particular people or void your submission.
16. Link to any facts, scientific evidence and mātauranga that you have gathered to back up the opinions you share.
17. The other two documents that are helpful to refer to while writing your submission include the petition request and terms of reference. You can find these in the full legislation here.
18. Conclude your submission by clearly letting the select committee know whether this is a written submission only, or whether you would like the opportunity to present an oral submission.
19. Oral submissions are presented to the select committee during hearings, which are scheduled after the closing date for submissions.
20. If you are unable to travel to Wellington to present your oral submission, you may be able to present it via video link.
21. If you want to present it via a video link, you will need to let the Government know this at the end of your written submission.
22. If you are an individual submitting, make sure your submission does not include any personal details.
23. If you are an organisation, give a brief description of what you do and your aims. Make sure you have the authority to represent the organisation.
24. If you are fluent in reo, you can present your submission in reo.
25. Remember committees do not have to accept every submission sent to them. Committees can return a submission that is not relevant, is offensive, possibly defamatory, or is supressed by a New Zealand Court order.

Submissions for the Gene Technology Bill close at 11.59pm on Monday 17 February 2025.

For more advice on how to craft your submission and reasons for opposing the Gene Technology Bill, we recommend checking out this guide created by Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ).

Ready to share your submission? Go here to upload your submission.

Tihei Mauri Ora!