The following exposé was written by the Counterspin Media team:
An ACT member has unveiled an internal conflict within ACT New Zealand (ACT NZ), a political party traditionally rooted in libertarian values.
The discord, which traces back to August 2021, originates from an alleged contradiction between the party’s constitution and its COVID-19 policy.
The member took umbrage at a line in an ACT Press Release promoting “Compulsory COVID app usage including Bluetooth functionality to improve tracking.”
According to the member, this policy directly contradicts two core principles of ACT NZ’s constitution.
Section 7(a) states:
It is inherent in the nature of human beings as individuals that they are the owners of their own lives and must be free to act according to their own judgments so long as they accept and respect the like freedom of others.”
The member contends that the compulsory government tracking of every citizen’s movements infringes upon these individual freedoms. Instead of ensuring the individual’s autonomy, the policy effectively places control in the hands of the government, giving it the power to dictate a person’s movement, interactions and activities.
In addition, the source argues that the policy contravenes Section 7(c) of the Party’s Constitution:
The proper purpose of government is to enact and enforce laws, and to take such action as may be necessary to secure the freedom of the individual from the actions of others, including those who constitute the government, which could constrain individuals from exercising ownership of their own lives.”
Upon discovering this apparent inconsistency, the member took the matter to the ACT NZ Board, urging for a revision of the Party’s stance. The board, taking this matter seriously, formed an independent policy committee to investigate the claim. This committee, which operated independently of the member, concluded that the COVID-19 policy was indeed “inconsistent with the party’s principles,” a view shared by other board members not on the committee.
Despite the committee’s 
findings, Mr Seymour and ACT have continued to defend their COVID-19 policy.
The party leader maintains that no breach of the constitution has occurred, even as he faces criticism for his stance from within the party. The member suggests that the party’s pursuit of the COVID-19 policy, despite its alleged inconsistencies with ACT’s constitution, raises questions about the party’s commitment to its libertarian principles.
The source ended their disclosure on a note of disappointment:
I joined, supported and served ACT because I wanted to see real change and an expansion of individual freedom and personal responsibility. I presume this is what David’s original objectives were as well, but it appears that he has been unfortunately tarred by many years in politics, and has lost the will to stand for the principles of the ACT party.”
As things continue to unfold, the question remains: How will ACT, a party founded on the libertarian principles of individual freedom and personal responsibility, reconcile its COVID-19 policy with its constitutional obligations. The answer may have profound implications for its supporters and the broader New Zealand Public.
Original Tweet is here:
Title: ACT NZ's COVID-19 Policy: An Internal Struggle for Constitutional Integrity
An ACT member has unveiled an internal conflict within ACT New Zealand (ACT NZ), a political party traditionally rooted in libertarian values. The discord, which traces back to August 2021,…
— COUNTERSPIN MEDIA NZ (@COUNTERSPIN111) May 19, 2023
