The ACT Party is backing calls for stronger protection of property rights, because it says the government must not be allowed to bully people out of their homes.
Act MP David Seymour Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
A report by the Human Rights Commission says the red-zoning of earthquake-damaged land in Christchurch shows property rights need improvement, and the government should not be able to override domestic laws.
The report was sharply criticised by the Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Gerry Brownlee, who said the government's buy-out offers were voluntary.
But ACT leader David Seymour said it took advantage of vulnerable people.
"None of us know when it might be us who is in the minority, and unfortunate circumstances, and in need of written-down rights. Unless your idea of the good life is to be cold, naked and shivering, then a good life requires the right to have property that other people can't arbitrarily take off you."