A parliamentary committee has recommended that New Zealand’s contentious Treaty Principles Bill, which seeks to redefine the foundational Treaty of Waitangi between Māori and the British Crown, should be abandoned. The proposed legislation has ignited fierce debate, with critics warning of its potential to erode Māori rights and disrupt long-standing interpretations of the treaty.
The bill was introduced by the Act Party, a minor coalition partner, and aims to replace the established principles derived from the Treaty of Waitangi with a new framework emphasising formal equality under the law. Act Party leader David Seymour has argued that current interpretations have created unequal rights and privileges for Māori compared to non-Māori. He claims that democratically defining treaty principles would better reflect New Zealand’s multicultural society.
While the bill does not seek to alter the original text of the Treaty itself, signed in 1840, it proposes legal definitions for its principles based on governance by the Crown, protection of property rights, and equality before the law. Critics contend that these changes disregard the nuanced relationship between Māori and the Crown, including concepts such as partnership and tino rangatiratanga (self-determination).
The legislation has faced overwhelming opposition from Māori leaders, legal experts, academics, and members of the public. During its review by Parliament’s Justice Select Committee, over 300,000 written submissions were received, with approximately 90% opposing the bill.
Oral submissions similarly reflected significant disapproval, with many expressing concerns about its implications for social cohesion, Crown-Māori relations, and New Zealand’s international reputation. Mass protests have further shown public resistance; in late 2024, a nine-day hīkoi (march) culminated in Wellington with over 42,000 demonstrators gathering outside Parliament. This protest—one of the largest in New Zealand’s history—highlighted widespread fears that the bill would undermine Māori rights established under decades of treaty jurisprudence.
Despite initial support from coalition partners National and New Zealand First during its first reading in November 2024, both parties have since withdrawn their backing for the bill. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon confirmed that National would vote against it at its second reading, effectively ensuring its defeat.
Winston Peters, leader of New Zealand First, similarly declared that the legislation was “dead in the water.” Seymour has criticised opponents for focusing on submission numbers rather than broader public opinion and suggested that a referendum could provide a more accurate measure of national sentiment on treaty principles. However, Luxon has ruled out holding a referendum on this issue.
Opponents argue that redefining treaty principles in favour of formal equality risks ignoring historical injustices and entrenched disparities faced by Māori communities. They point to ongoing challenges such as higher rates of poverty, incarceration, and poor health outcomes among Māori compared to other groups in New Zealand.
Critics also warn that abandoning established interpretations could damage social cohesion and weaken protections for Indigenous rights enshrined in international agreements. Legal experts have raised concerns about potential constitutional implications, suggesting that removing references to partnership between Māori and the Crown could undermine co-governance arrangements and treaty settlements negotiated over decades. The Waitangi Tribunal has also criticised the bill for failing to adequately consult Māori stakeholders during its development process.
With both National and New Zealand First opposing its progression beyond its first reading, the future of the Treaty Principles Bill appears bleak. The Justice Select Committee’s recommendation to scrap the legislation reflects widespread public opposition and political reluctance to pursue such a divisive policy.