Treaty Principles Bill Information
Submissions Now Closed
Submissions for this bill closed at 1:00pm Tuesday, January 14th, 2025. While submissions are no longer being accepted, you can stay informed about the bill's progress through the Parliament website.
What is Te Tiriti o Waitangi?
Te Tiriti o Waitangi, signed on February 6, 1840, is Aotearoa New Zealand's foundational document. It created a framework for shared settlement between Māori rangatira and the British Crown, enabling structured migration and government establishment in Aotearoa.
Current Treaty Principles
These principles reflect the intent and spirit of Te Tiriti, developed through the Waitangi tribunal, courts, and Treaty settlements:
- Partnership
- Active protection
- Equity and equal treatment
- Redress
- Informed decision-making
- Self-determination
- Right of development
Why This Bill is Harmful
- 1.
It undermines decades of redress efforts addressing Crown breaches over the past 180 years
- 2.
It distorts the original intent of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which established a relationship of respect and kotahitanga between two sovereign nations
- 3.
It removes rights of iwi, hapū, and Māori that have been long-established in New Zealand law
- 4.
It breaches the Crown's obligation to protect Māori rights and resources (taonga)