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Treaty Principles Bill Defeated in New Zealand Parliament

The Treaty Principles Bill, which aimed to redefine New Zealand’s foundational document concerning the rights of Māori and non-Māori, has faced a significant setback in parliament. The proposal was voted down on its second reading with a considerable margin of 112 votes against, compared to just 11 in favor.

Days before the vote, a government committee recommended against the bill, emphasizing its contentious nature. The legislation sought to codify the principles of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, leading to substantial public outcry. Last year, over 40,000 individuals protested outside parliament, reflecting deep divisions in public opinion regarding the bill.

Expectations for the bill’s failure were high, as key political parties, excluding the right-wing Act Party, signalled their intent to reject it. Only members of Act, the party that proposed the legislation, lent their support during the vote. David Seymour, the party leader, has expressed his commitment to continue advocating for the principles of the Treaty to be articulated in law.

In a statement on social media, Seymour remarked, “I believe this Bill or something like it will pass one day because there are not good arguments against its contents.” The political climate leading to the vote was charged, with Labour MP Willie Jackson being asked to leave the chamber after a dispute involving accusations against Seymour.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins criticized the bill, stating it would leave a lasting negative impact on the nation. In a powerful moment during parliamentary discussions, Hana Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke of Te Pāti Māori, who gained recognition for leading a haka at the bill’s initial reading, affirmed that the proposal had been decisively rejected.

Marama Davidson, co-leader of the Green Party, observed that instead of driving a wedge between communities, the bill inadvertently fostered solidarity across the nation, emphasizing the importance of the Treaty as a foundational agreement.

The bill’s second reading followed a select committee’s report revealing that over 300,000 submissions had been received on the matter, marking the highest response ever recorded for any legislative proposal in New Zealand’s history. The vast majority of these submissions opposed the bill.

While the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi have historically remained undefined in law, they have influenced various legislative measures aimed at addressing historical grievances of Māori populations. Act’s bill outlined three principal tenets: the government’s authority to legislate, the Crown’s responsibility to honor Māori rights at the time of the Treaty’s signing, and a commitment to equality before the law for all citizens.

Supporters of the Act Party, including former National Party finance minister Ruth Richardson, argued that the bill represented a necessary step towards clarifying the principles of the Treaty, which they believe had increasingly become the domain of the judiciary rather than the legislature.

Opponents, however, contended that the bill could exacerbate social rifts and was at odds with the intentions of the Treaty. Sharon Hawke, representing Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, criticized the legislation for undermining decades of progress towards improving Māori wellbeing in education, housing, and health.

Public discourse surrounding the proposed legislation highlighted concerns about its alignment with Treaty values and potential compliance with international law. Detractors noted risks to New Zealand’s international standing and the legacy of colonial injustices, while proponents sought a clearer understanding of the Treaty’s principles and emphasized the necessity for broader discussions, including a national referendum.

The Treaty Principles Bill initially secured backing from the National Party, part of the ruling coalition with Act, but Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated there was little in the bill that he supported, indicating a shift in party dynamics as the legislative process unfolded.

Source
www.bbc.com