New Zealand is observing Waitangi Day today, with political leaders commemorating the country’s foundational document amid debate over a bill that could significantly undermine it.
Waitangi Day marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, which gave the Crown political sovereignty over New Zealand while affirming the rights of Māori iwi to their lands. It was first made a national public holiday in 1973.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon spoke alongside governor-general Cindy Kiro at Ōnuku Marae, on the South Island’s Banks Peninsula, for the occasion. “It is here Ngāi Tahu chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi 185 years ago, laying the foundation for what was hoped would be a lasting partnership. And here, in this very place, my predecessor as prime minister, Dame Jenny Shipley, delivered the Crown apology to Ngāi Tahu,” he said.
“Reconciliation has paved the way for the iwi's success, prosperity and cultural revitalisation,” said Luxon.
Leaders of other political parties marked the day at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in Northland.
Luxon also said the proposed Treaty Principles Bill would not become law. Introduced by Luxon’s National Party’s coalition partner ACT last year, the bill seeks to abolish measures to support Māori representation or civil rights that were not granted through a legal settlement of a historical treaty claim. Public submissions on the bill are now being heard by Parliament’s Justice Committee.
The Treaty Principles Bill was heavily criticised by the governmental Waitangi Tribunal commission, which said the bill deliberately did not consult Māori authorities and did not reflect the treaty’s meaning. “We found that if this Bill were to be enacted, it would be the worst, most comprehensive breach of the Treaty/te Tiriti in modern times,” said Waitangi Tribunal chair Caren Fox.
Around 42,000 people marched on New Zealand’s parliament in November to protest the Treaty Principles Bill, the country’s largest-ever protest in support of Māori civil rights.
Several Maori leaders and iwi representatives turned their backs during ACT leader David Seymour’s address at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds yesterday. Protestors from the Toitū te Tiriti group, formed in response to the coalition’s Māori-related policies like the Treaty Principles Bill, left once the government’s delegation arrived.
“We are sick of talking to ears that will not listen, and to minds that will not change,” said Toitū te Tiriti spokesperson Eru Kapa-Kingi.
Seymour’s microphone was also twice taken away by Ngāti Wai leader Aperahama Edwards, though it was returned by Ngāpuhi leader Waihoroi Shortland. “Everything we have wanted to say about the [Treaty Principles] bill has been said, everything he has had to say has been said,” Shortland said. “We’re not going to hear anything new, so let’s try silence.”
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