Jacinda ArdernÔÇÖs calls for censorship is a ÔÇÿwar on freedom

[king1]

The key point CT is that you are absolutely free in NZ to voice your opinion about religion and cults and anything else that comes to mind. 

Where limits are imposed is when there is a real risk of violence resulting from those spoken words - either by the speaker or one of the listeners (mis)interpreting the words spoken...  It is one thing to say the Brethren, Jehovah Witness. et al are a bunch of controlling scumbags, but crosses a line to intend them harm...

The very real effects of this can be seen in the parliament protests - a select few whip up a frenzy, and the more impressionable members of society start to believe and act upon the words... 

Now do we deal with this issue by nipping the problem in the bud before it gets out of hand (by having laws), or do we wait until the violence has occurred ie the proverbial ambulance at the bottom of the cliff...

Well yes I agree with you there. My main concern is what actually ends up getting defined as hate speech.
I know other activists have been concerned about this, worrying that anything critical could be observed as hate speech.

Thank goodness we live in a democracy...

Proof of point the government back down on that entrenchment clause.  Some will see it as a win over labour or proof that they're part of some global agenda - I simply see it as democracy working as it should...