Submission on the Treaty Principles Bill

6 January 2025

The Bill proposes a referendum on proposed principles of the Treaty of Waitangi to be defined in legislation.

• Te Tiriti o Waitangi provides the moral basis on which Aotearoa New Zealand was founded. It also provides a framework for the ongoing relationship between the Crown and Māori. This makes it extremely valuable and important for all New Zealanders.

• The Bill will radically change the meaning of Te Tiriti away from both the text and spirit of the document, undermining the value of the document and causing great harm and division within our country.

• Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a treaty, and the Crown does not have the right to unilaterally redefine or abrogate it. The Treaty Principles Bill is designed to do just that, and we strongly encourage the Select Committee to reject it in its entirety.