Amendments to the Copyright Act 1994 have been enacted from time to time to keep the Act in line with advances in technology and new ways that original artistic works can be copied.
The latest amendment is now on the table after the Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill, introduced by Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter, was selected from the legislative ballot.
Already known as the “Meme-ber’s Bill”, the amendment follows the wording used in the 2006 amendment to the Australian Copyright Act 1968 and provides that “A fair dealing with a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work, or with an adaptation of a literary, dramatic or musical work, does not constitute an infringement of the copyright in the work if it is for the purpose of parody or satire.”
This single sentence aims to address a gap in current law that exposes New Zealand creators to legal risks when producing satirical content, and encourages public discourse and cultural expression while strengthening the democratic values of free speech and creativity. Carter hopes for bipartisan support, calling for unity across the House when the bill heads to its First Reading early next year.