Wellington City Council and the Mayor of Wellington, New Zealand, disregard the internationally recognised human right of freedom of religion. Christians in New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington, are obligated apply for a government permit if they individually want to share information about Christianity with another person in public.

(http://wellington.govt.nz)

Wellington City Council of New Zealand with the Mayor of Wellington declared on January 22, 2015, that New Zealand law (New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 No.109) have no bearing on the Wellington City Council process, policy or praxis regarding the universal freedom of religion, freedom of expression and freedom of manifestation to individually share information about Christianity with any person in public. The Wellington City Council in New Zealand stated:

“The bill of rights has no bearing on the process we follow to authorise activities within the road reserve.”

In a formal inquiry with the Wellington City Council regarding their view of the legalities of street evangelism in Wellington, Wellington City Council decided that Christians who want to individually distribute Christian literature in public (or to individually converse with members of the public about Christianity), must apply to the Wellington City Council for a permit. Once the Wellington City Council and the Mayor of Wellington was confronted with the ‘New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990’, the Mayor of Wellington and the Wellington City Council simply ceased to communicate further.

Wellington City Council and the Mayor of Wellington not only contravene the New Zealand national law (the NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990) and contravene its international agreements of the UN (United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights), but Wellington City Council and their Mayor of Wellington also simply declined to carry out their obligations as public servants by their refusal to further communicate and to answer relevant questions; questions relating to the legality of the Wellington City Council decision in requiring of individual Christians to apply to the City Council for a permit in order for individual Christians to share information about Christianity on public property.

New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990: http://www.kyrkor.be/New-Zealand-Bill-of-Rights-Act-1990.pdf

United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights: http://www.kyrkor.be/Universal-Declaration-of-Human-Rights.pdf

The email dialogue with Wellington City Council and the Mayor of Wellington in New Zealand is read chronologically from the bottom upwards beneath, with the most recent email at the top:

--------------------

Wellington City Council.

Please reply to the previous email, beneath, to Wellington City Council from 14 days ago. Thanks.

Please confirm that I am not required to apply for a permit for the described activity.

If the Wellington City Council insists that a permit is required, then please answer the questions previously addressed to Wellington City Council:

(1) Please legally justify your assertion of authority of requiring of me to apply for your approval of a footpath licence.

(2) Additionally, please explain your legal statement “The bill of rights has no bearing on the process we follow to authorise activities within the road reserve.”

Kindly,

Torsten Nenzen

Please reply to the previous email, beneath, to Wellington City Council from 7 days ago. Thanks.

Please reply to the previous email, beneath, to Wellington City Council from 7 days ago. Thanks.

Wellington City Council.

Good morning Maria Taumaa,

Thanks for replying once again.

As I stated initially, I do intend to respectfully offer written information about the Biblically described person Jesus Christ through leaflet distribution to pedestrians on sidewalks in Wellington later in February 2015. As described to Wellington City Council in my letter dated Dec.30, 2014, there will be no obstruction to pedestrians or traffic.

Nowhere in the Wellington Council bylaws can I read a legal justification for necessitating a permit requirement for the described activity; an activity of one person which does not pose any obstruction under the Wellington Footpath Policy.

If a permit/license is required by any local government authority for distribution of Christian information in the public, then please inform me about the legality of such a restriction by provision of the specific legal texts applicable.

I asked you to please justify your authority “to progress application” with specific references to NZ law and Wellington bylaws, to which you responded with a question asking me if I wanted a “footpath licence” from you.

I question the asserted legal authority to require of individual Christians to apply for a footpath licence from Wellington City Council, and I question the asserted authority of approval or disapproval of any application, in relation Christians’ individually sharing information about their Christian faith on public footpaths in the written medium and in oral conversation. If Wellington City Council is legally authorised to require of individual Christians to apply for approval towards a license to communicate the Gospel message in the manner described, then please legally justify that authority. Otherwise, please acknowledge that Wellington City Council is not legally authorised to require of individual Christians to apply for approval towards a licence to communicate the Gospel message in the manner described.

If you can demonstrate with specific references a legal authority to require of individual Christians to apply for a footpath licence from the Wellington City Council for the described activity, then I would necessitate to apply for a footpath license.

(1) Please justify your assertion of authority of requiring of me to apply for your approval of a footpath licence.

(2) Additionally, please explain your legal statement “The bill of rights has no bearing on the process we follow to authorise activities within the road reserve.”

Thank-you very much.

Kind regards,

Torsten Nenzen

Good Morning

Do you want a footpath license??

thanx

Street Activities Coordinator | | Wellington City Council

P 04 803 8077 | M 021 227 8077 | F

E Maria.Taumaa@wcc.govt.nz | W Wellington.govt.nz |

Wellington City Council,

Hello Maria Taumaa,

On a more careful review of the Wellington bylaws, I fail to recognise your authority to require an application “To progress your application we need … ”

I have read:

Wellington Consolidated Bylaw 2008, Part 5: Public Places: http://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/plans-policies-and-bylaws/bylaws/wellington-consolidated-bylaw-2008/part-5_-public-places

FOOTPATH MANAGEMENT POLICY 21 MARCH 2007: http://wellington.govt.nz/~/media/your-council/plans-policies-and-bylaws/plans-and-policies/a-to-z/footpathmgmt/files/footpath.pdf

Please justify your authority “to progress application” related to the letter sent to Wellington City Council on Dec.30, 2014 with specific references to the Wellington bylaws. Thanks.

Also, please explain your legal statement “The bill of rights has no bearing on the process we follow to authorise activities within the road reserve.” Thanks.

Kind regards,

Torsten Nenzen

Wellington City Council,

Hello Maria Taumaa,

On a more careful review of the Wellington bylaws, I fail to recognise your authority to require an application “To progress your application we need … ”

I have read:

Wellington Consolidated Bylaw 2008, Part 5: Public Places: http://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/plans-policies-and-bylaws/bylaws/wellington-consolidated-bylaw-2008/part-5_-public-places

FOOTPATH MANAGEMENT POLICY 21 MARCH 2007: http://wellington.govt.nz/~/media/your-council/plans-policies-and-bylaws/plans-and-policies/a-to-z/footpathmgmt/files/footpath.pdf

Please justify your authority “to progress application” related to the letter sent to Wellington City Council on Dec.30, 2014 with specific references to the Wellington bylaws. Thanks.

Also, please explain your legal statement “The bill of rights has no bearing on the process we follow to authorise activities within the road reserve.” Thanks.

Kind regards,

Torsten Nenzen

Wellington City Council.

Hello Maria Taumaa,

Thanks for responding.

In the letter sent to the Council on December 30, 2014, a detailed description of the nature of activity was provided to the Council. Pasted beneath this letter is a copy of that initial communication letter (Dec.30) to the council - for your reference.

The planned locations are public sidewalks in central areas of Wellington.

The space on a sidewalk required would be equivalent to the space of one human.

In context of any particular leaflet exchange scenario there would be three persons involved: Torsten the leaflet-distributor, a leaflet-recipient member of the public, and God. God does not, however, require physical space on any Wellington sidewalk.

Attached as jpg and as pdf are the two materials which will be respectfully given to members of the public in Wellington.

Kind regards,

Torsten Nenzen

Good Morning Torsten

The Council manages activities in the road corridor, which the footpath is a part, in accordance with the Council’s Footpath Management Policy 2007. This policy is in turn underpinned by the Wellington City Consolidated Bylaws 2008 Part 5 Public Places. For an activity, on the street, that is likely to impede the free flow of pedestrians requires the party or those responsible for any obstructing activity to apply for permission. The permission and application need to be done in writing explaining the activity to be undertaken and the steps to be taken to keep the public safe while doing so. Our main focus is to maintain a good level of service for pedestrians unencumbered by obstructions or other conflicting activities. And when we authorise activities they are managed in such a way to minimise any inconvenience to the public.

The bill of rights has no bearing on the process we follow to authorise activities within the road reserve.

To progress your application we need a clear explanation as to what you plan to do. Where you plan to do it. How much space you will take up on the footpath, how many people are involved and the times and days you plan to carry out your activity. You have already provided the times and days but if you can provide the additional information requested we can quickly assess your application and provide you with an answer.

If you have any further questions in the meantime please contact me.

Thanks

Street Activities Coordinator | | Wellington City Council

P 04 803 8077 | M 021 227 8077 | F

E Maria.Taumaa@wcc.govt.nz | W Wellington.govt.nz |

Hi Torsten

With reference to your email, you may find the link below useful.

Kind regards

Angela Bond

Office of the Mayor

http://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/plans-policies-and-bylaws/bylaws/wellington-consolidated-bylaw-2008/part-5_-public-places#one1

Wellington City Council.

(1) Please reply to the questions addressed to Wellington City Council.

(2) Please provide the law, or municipal by-law, which authorises you to require Christians to seek a permit to hand out written information about God.

(3) Please provide the application form for permits to use public footpaths in Wellington.

Wellington City Council was provided the specified time frame, but Wellington City Council appears to choose to ignore the information which was provided.

Time frame = daylight hours, Dates = Feb.10, 2015 to April.1, 2015.

(Q) Is the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act irrelevant to Wellington, and is the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights irrelevant to Wellington?

Kind regards,

Torsten Nenzen

Wellington City Council.

(1) Please reply to the questions addressed to Wellington City Council.

(2) Please provide the law, or municipal by-law, which authorises you to require Christians to seek a permit to hand out written information about God.

(3) Please provide the application form for permits to use public footpaths in Wellington.

Wellington City Council was provided the specified time frame, but Wellington City Council appears to choose to ignore the information which was provided.

Time frame = daylight hours, Dates = Feb.10, 2015 to April.1, 2015.

(Q) Is the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act irrelevant to Wellington, and is the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights irrelevant to Wellington?

Kind regards,

Torsten Nenzen

Wellington City Council.

Please reply to the questions addressed to Wellington City Council.

Please provide the law, or municipal by-law, which authorises you to require Christians to seek a permit to hand out written information about God.

Please provide the application form for permits to use public footpaths in Wellington.

Wellington City Council was provided the specified time frame, but Wellington City Council appears to choose to ignore the information which was provided.

Time frame = daylight hours, Dates = Feb.10, 2015 to April.1, 2015.

Is the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act irrelevant to Wellington, and is the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights irrelevant Wellington?

Kind regards,

Torsten Nenzen

Wellington City Council.

Please provide the law, or municipal by-law, which authorises you to require Christians to seek a permit to hand out written information about God.

Please provide the application form for permits to use public footpaths in Wellington.

Wellington City Council was provided the specified time frame, but Wellington City Council appears to choose to ignore the information which was provided.

Time frame = daylight hours, Dates = Feb.10, 2015 to April.1, 2015.

Is the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act irrelevant to Wellington, and is the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights irrelevant Wellington?

Kind regards,

Torsten Nenzen

----

New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990. Public Act 1990 No 109.

13 Freedom of thought, conscience, and religion

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief, including the right to adopt and to hold opinions without interference.

14 Freedom of expression

Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and opinions of any kind in any form.

15 Manifestation of religion and belief

Every person has the right to manifest that person’s religion or belief in worship, observance, practice, or teaching, either individually or in community with others, and either in public or in private.

Yes you require a permit we do not give out blanket permits without a timeframe for any part of Wellington.

You need to be specific you are not the only person using public footpath or road for activities in Wellington.

thanx

Street Activities Coordinator | | Wellington City Council

P 04 803 8077 | M 021 227 8077 | F

E Maria.Taumaa@wcc.govt.nz | W Wellington.govt.nz |

Wellington City Council,

Hello Maria Taumaa,

(1) Is a permit required for handing out leaflets in any part of Wellington?

(2) Timeframe = daylight hours,  Dates = Feb.10, 2015 to April.1, 2015

Kind regards,

Torsten Nenzen

Good Morning

Please advise where you want to hand out leaflets the date and timeframe.

thanx

Maria Taumaa

Street Activities Coordinator | | Wellington City Council

P 04 803 8077 | M 021 227 8077 | F

E Maria.Taumaa@wcc.govt.nz | W Wellington.govt.nz |

Wellington City Council,

Thanks for your reply. If possible, a response from the Street Activities Team soon would be much appreciated.

(1) Is a permit required for any part of Wellington?

Best regards,

Torsten Nenzen

Dear Torsten,

Thank you for your email regarding permission for a footpath activity.

We have raised a service request with the Street Activities Team as they are best suited to respond. Your service request number is 2312436. Please quote this number if you need to follow up this request at a later date.

We value your input and if you require further assistance please contact us.

Kind regards,

XXyour name hereXX

Customer Services Team Wellington City Council

P 04 499 4444  F 04 801 3138  W Wellington.govt.nz

PO Box 2199 Wellington 6140

Wellington City Council.

An enquiry was addressed to Wellington City Council more than one week ago.

Please reply.

Thanks.

Kind regards,

Torsten Nenzen

Wellington City Council.

To whom it may concern,

I intend to respectfully offer written information about the Biblically described person Jesus Christ through leaflet distribution to pedestrians on sidewalks in Wellington in February 2015.

I have read the Wellington City Council information on:

a)   http://wellington.govt.nz/services/consents-and-licences/street-performance-and-busking

b)   http://wellington.govt.nz/~/media/your-council/plans-policies-and-bylaws/plans-and-policies/a-to-z/footpathmgmt/files/footpath.pdf

In context of the United Nations Declaration on Fundamental Human Rights, am I required by law or any council decision to apply for a permit/license to distribute leaflets promoting the Christian faith, standing on public sidewalks in Wellington? Are there particular public areas of Wellington with restrictions for person-to-person distribution of tracts promoting the Christian faith?

I will use no infrastructure, and no PA system, and no shouting. I will individually and respectfully offer to people flyers (cards). In personal conversations with members of the public I will answer questions about Biblical Christianity which individuals might ask, and I will pray together with those individuals who request from me that I pray with them.

If a permit/license is required by any local government authority for distribution of Christian information in the public, then please inform me about the legality of such a restriction in context of the Declaration of Human Rights, and inform me of which application form I would be required to submit to the Council.

There would be no obstruction to pedestrians or traffic. I also ensure there shall be no permanent litter on the ground, as I will regularly pick up any inappropriately discarded card within my visibility, and by concluding with a thorough walk along neighbouring streets to pick up any inappropriately discarded card.

Thanks.

Best regards,

Torsten Nenzén