Human beings cannot flourish unless they are free

We protect, expand, and fight for New Zealanders’ rights to freedom of speech, conscience, and intellectual inquiry. We envision a flourishing New Zealand civil society that values and protects vigorous debate, dissenting ideas, and freedom of speech as cultural cornerstones.

Human beings cannot flourish unless they are free

We protect, expand, and fight for New Zealanders’ rights to freedom of speech, conscience, and intellectual inquiry. We envision a flourishing New Zealand civil society that values and protects vigorous debate, dissenting ideas, and freedom of speech as cultural cornerstones.

CAMPAIGNS

HATE SPEECH LAWS APPEAR TO BE COMING DOWN THE PIPELINE AGAIN!

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Police Must Stop Unlawful Training

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'Misgendering' isn't a crime!

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The Free Speech Union was formed in 2021 and has grown rapidly. It came from the Free Speech Coalition which began in 2018 out of the need to challenge the Mayor of Auckland after he banned people whose views he disliked and treated Council property as his own.

Our job is to fight the expansion of government censorship, by challenging bad legislation and dangerous legal precedents. We’re the central hub of a network of Kiwis who are motivated by the dire need to protect free speech across all areas - media, academia, politics, workplaces, city councils…

About us

We’re a community committed to providing accessible, reliable, impartial advice to make a life-changing difference for people who find themselves ostracised.

News

How we can help

We advocate and defend your human right to freedom of speech, regardless of your stance.

We don’t take any sides on political, cultural, social or ethical matters. But we go into bat so that you can. If you’ve been threatened, silenced, fired, or cancelled, we’ll advocate for your rights through writing letters, petitions, spreading awareness and representing you.

Get in touch today

“Whether it’s in the workplace or the public square, you need the protection of the Free Speech Union. Only with you – and with thousands like you – can we defend free speech”

LATEST NEWS

A new case of policing speech, literally

Oct 05, 2024 Gareth* is a husband and the father of a busy young family. He has triplet toddlers- frankly I can't imagine! He's a project manager, a role that comes with a bit of stress, and in his spare time, like a lot of us, he lets off some steam on social... Read more

University of Auckland Senate rightly rejects flawed academic freedom policy after lengthy four-year development process

Oct 05, 2024   MEDIA RELEASE 4 October 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   University of Auckland Senate rightly rejects flawed academic reedom policy after lengthy four-year development process  After more than four years of development, academic staff at the University of Auckland have overwhelmingly rejected the Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom Policy that was presented to Senate... Read more

If Paul Goldsmith asks dumb questions, he’ll get stupid answers

Oct 01, 2024 Hate crime MEDIA RELEASE 1 October 2024FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE If Paul Goldsmith asks dumb questions, he’ll get stupid answers   The Terms of Reference released by the Law Commission into a review of potential ‘hate crime’ laws illustrate yet again the unavoidable subjectivity of ‘hate’, and the fool’s errand it is to... Read more