It is time to put freedom over copyright. That is the Pirate Party's message, and I won't waste any time stating it. This election, we are the only party with a solid plan to fix New Zealand's fundamentally broken copyright laws. We've just released our full manifesto, which is available on our party website. I really do recommend you take a read, because it is tremendous and our wonderful membership and candidates have put a lot of work in it.

But there are two main things I like about it. That it's about copyright, and that it's not about copyright. Let me explain - our copyright laws are obviously not fit for purpose. We currently have an internet where open information, the freedom to share information, is suppressed. It is suppressed because big companies and corporations have been allowed to write our nation's copyright laws, crushing the freedom that the internet enables because some people might be infringing their copyrights.

It's a key issue that should be addressed, because New Zealanders deserve the right to digital freedom. This is the basis on which the Pirate Party was founded, and our members believe that the injustice that is copyright law must be urgently addressed by government. You'd think our current government, consisting of two libertarian parties, would address this, but we have not seen them do so. So this is why I'm proud that our manifesto addresses issues of copyright.

That being said, there are plenty of other policies we have. Our members and candidates are passionate about reforming our current unfit copyright laws, but if we are elected to Parliament, then our MPs will obviously not just vote on issues related to copyright. We have the potential to be in a kingmaker position, which is why I believe it's important that we present positions on other issues.

Our manifesto touches on issues related to foreign policy, the pharmaceutical industry, transport, and more. We are by no means a one-trick pony - we are committed to ending the anti-China hysteria and focusing on strengthening our trade ties with the People's Republic, we will end the injustice that is pharmaceutical patents, which currently prevent less developed countries from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, and we have presented a fully costed plan for Christchurch light rail. Single-issue party? Think again.

So yes, this manifesto is about copyright, which we believe is a crucial issue that other parties are not addressing, but we've also included numerous other policies that show our commitment to working for New Zealanders and delivering where the parties of the status quo aren't, for liberty and for a better nation. This election, give your vote to the Pirate Party, and put freedom over copyright.