The "Everything Bill": Jonathan Boston on Why New Zealand's Regulatory Standards Bill Matters

Coherent podcast interview with Emeritus Professor Jonathan Boston, ONZM

This episode of the Coherent podcast shares an in-depth interview with Emeritus Professor Jonathan Boston on the Regulatory Standards Bill. Listen in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Video coming later!

Here’s an overview:

The proposed Regulatory Standards Bill may seem like dry policy, but its implications could reshape how New Zealand governs itself. In this episode of Coherent, Jonathan Boston, ONZM, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, unpacks the sweeping impact this legislation could have on government services, environmental protections, and the very structure of our democracy.

We explore the bill’s philosophical roots in market-liberal ideology, its potential conflicts with te Tiriti o Waitangi and the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act, and why many of its principles are constitutionally and practically troubling. Professor Boston also warns of the broader democratic risks stemming from misinformation and the erosion of trust in public institutions.

Join us for a deep dive into one of the most far-reaching policy proposals in recent New Zealand history—and why your voice matters before the January 13th submission deadline.