While our Act Party originally proposed New Zealand’s Treaty Principles Bill, it was met with significant pushback. In the end, the bill was rejected on its second reading in Parliament. The bill sought to define the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, focusing on three main tenets: the authority of the New Zealand government, respect for Māori rights, and equality before the law. Despite initial support from the National Party, the bill’s failure marks a significant shift in public sentiment regarding its implications for Māori communities and the nation as a whole.
The Act Party’s Treaty Principles Bill was a short hardening of the Treaty’s principles into law. They propose to do this without reopening the Treaty, i.e. changing the Treaty text itself. This legislative effort goes even further to clarify these principles. For decades, these principles have ignited anger and discord. Once the bill passed its first reading in November, it received wildly disproportionate international attention. Secondly, it had powerful support from the National Party, who had promised to support the bill in their coalition agreement with Act.
Unfortunately, the proposed legislation soon got caught up in the storm. This is the New Zealand Parliament has ever received on any bill, generating more than 300,000 submissions. That would make it the most widespread opposition to any legislation ever introduced in our nation’s history. In fact, over 90% of all the submissions were against passage of the bill. Not only did they share how this plan does not align with Treaty values, they forewarned how this Act could be advancing inequality while appearing to support equity.
Submitters have identified important concerns with the bill. They worry it will exacerbate social fragmentation rather than encourage interaction among New Zealand’s many different communities. Independent critics from the Labour and Green parties joined formal Environment Commissioner complaints in warning against the bill’s passage. They contended that it would risk Māori interests and damage New Zealand’s international reputation.
Sharon Hawke, a prominent advocate for Māori rights, expressed her disapproval succinctly: “This bill strips the fabric of where we’ve been heading for in the last three decades at improving our people’s ability to gain education, gain warm housing, gain good health.” She went on to condemn the proposal for having “polluted” the very notion of all New Zealanders sharing a future.
There was a stark lack of enthusiasm among people in political circles for the bill. Ruth Richardson, a former finance minister for the National Party, described it as “a bill of consequence whose time has come.” Her patronage never overcame the heavy resistance that arose from other parts of society.
That recommendation from the government committee not to move forward with the bill was essential. Just days before its second reading, this committee highlighted prevailing concerns among New Zealanders, ultimately leading to a decisive vote against it. The final count showed a pronounced split. There were 112 votes against it and 11 in favor – a rare, almost total schism between supporters and opponents.
Marama Davidson—a Member of Parliament from the opposition Green Party—efficiently honked her approval at the downfall. It was a victory, she said, for collaboration between communities all over New Zealand. She stated, “Instead of dividing and conquering, this bill has backfired and united communities across the motu in solidarity for our founding agreement and what it represents.”
His successor, Labour leader Chris Hipkins, was quick to express this sentiment, labeling the bill a “stain on our country.” He emphasized that its defeat represents a collective stand against measures perceived as harmful to Māori rights and societal cohesion.
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