9 Nov 2024

The Treaty Principles Bill

From Saturday Morning, 7:35 am on 9 November 2024
Julia Amua Whaipooti, JustSpeak spokesperson and Children’s Commission senior advisor specking at the Police conference in Wellington focused on the cannabis referendum.

Julia Amua Whaipooti. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

The controversial Treaty Principles Bill has been introduced to Parliament by the ACT Party under a coalition agreement.

And earlier in the week, a Waitangi Tribunal report found the bill breaches the principle of partnership, the Crown's good-faith obligations and the Crown's duty to actively protect Māori rights and interests.

A new set of principles revealed in the ACT Party's Treaty Principles Bill proposes removing the notion of partnership entirely - and puts a timeline on the protection of Māori rights and interests.

The bill's first reading will take place this coming Thursday when Prime Minister Christopher Luxon won't be in the country, and will coincide with a hikoi that arrives in Wellington the day before.  

Human Rights Commission’s Tino Rangatiratanga leaderJulia Whaipooti explains what has been happening.