Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill
Right now in New Zealand, if you use someone else's creative work — like a song, artwork, or writing — to make a parody or satire, you can technically be taken to court for breaking copyright law. This bill would change that. It would add a rule saying that using someone's creative work for parody or satire is not a breach of copyright, as long as the use is fair. In practice, this means comedians, artists, and everyday people could more freely mock or comment on public figures and issues using existing creative works.
What this affects
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Creators, comedians, and businesses that make parody or satirical content would no longer risk being sued for copyright infringement simply for using someone else's creative work as the basis for their parody.
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.
Progress through Parliament
Have your say
This bill is open for public submissions to the Social Services and Community Committee. Anyone can tell the committee what they think, and you don’t need to be an expert. Submissions close 18 May 2026.
Bill text sourced from legislation.govt.nz (Parliamentary Counsel Office). Arapono’s summary and breakdown are drafted with AI grounded in that official text and reviewed by an Arapono editor for accuracy and neutrality before publishing. Arapono is non-partisan and takes no position on this bill.