A public hearing has commenced regarding a controversial treaty principles bill in New Zealand, introduced by the Act party. This bill aims to discard established principles guiding Maori-Crown relations and replace them with new interpretations. Critics, including lawyers and Maori leaders, argue that its passage would severely undermine Maori rights. Prominent figures highlight that the bill threatens decades of work to address treaty breaches. Leaders assert that this proposal would portray New Zealand negatively on a global stage as undermining Indigenous rights is increasingly viewed unfavorably today.
If the bill were to be passed, our government would be the laughing stock of the western world, who understand how responsible states today seek to manage relationships with their Indigenous people.
The bill endeavours to raise a number of principles that simply do not reflect the relationship between the crown and tangata whenua.
Maori have been afforded different political and legal rights... because of the principles that have flowed from the Treaty of Waitangi.
The proposed changes are unconstitutional, socially divisive and an attack on Maori rights.
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