Second Annual Keith Locke Memorial Debate Focuses On The Free Speech Debate
Moot: That ‘Hate speech laws threaten Free Speech’
Place Law School 9 Eden Cres Central Auckland
Date Thursday 2 July 2026 6 pm for drinks and 7 pm for Debate
‘Our debate could not be more topical, in the light of controversy about the recent anti-immigrant remarks of Brian Tamaki of Destiny Church. What should we do when bad people (and sometimes good people) say bad things? Would hate speech legislation protect us or be used to silence unpopular opinions? Do we need stronger laws, or can we rely on existing legislation to respond to threats and to incitement?’
These and other questions will be thoroughly examined at our debate next week. We expect a full house and will be conducting an audience poll both pre and post-debate. The debate will be live-streamed
Affirmative: Martyn Bradbury, Thomas Beagle and Verity Johnson
Negative: Simon Wilson, Anjum Rahman and Yasmine Serhan
Moderator: Jane Kelsey
