It’s time to stand up for Te Tiriti and tell the government they are wrong to divide us.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is our country’s founding document.
It forms the basis of the relationship between Māori and the Crown, and is a very important part of our constitutional arrangements (New Zealand is unusual for not having one written document called a constitution).
It has three articles: 1. Kāwanatanga/Governorship; 2. Tino rangatiratanga/control; and 3. Citizenship.
Despite being negotiated in 1840 and having travelled around the country for signing (at Ōtakou marae, the Treaty was signed on June 13, 1840), the settler governors and then lawmakers and judges chose to forget about it and many wrongs were done.
This is why in 1975 the Waitangi Tribunal was established; to have a process to document the wrongs and provide some redress.
The idea of the Treaty’s principles arose as a way to do better at achieving the importance of Te Tiriti.
The principles were developed by the courts and include partnership, participation, active protection and redress.
These principles are not as strong as the articles of Te Tiriti (in either English or Te Reo).
David Seymour says he just wants a conversation about the Treaty principles, but he clearly doesn’t want an honest one.
He is already trying to mislead the public on what the Treaty says, and the new principles he is proposing are a gross misrepresentation of the Treaty.
Act New Zealand’s Bill is backwards-looking and seeks to undermine ongoing partnership.
It’s a disgrace that Christopher Luxon has agreed to have a select committee process on it.
His failure to kill the Treaty Principles Bill will cost taxpayers millions, divide our country, and ultimately take New Zealand backwards.
I am proud to have been part of a government that focused on uplifting Te Tiriti and working in partnership with Māori, like through local histories in the school curriculum and celebrating Matariki.
The celebrations in Ōtepoti have been wonderful family and community events.
When Māori thrive, Aotearoa thrives. When we stand together, support one another and honour Te Tiriti, we all benefit.
