On Tuesday, 19th November, a hikoi (march) reached Wellington, drawing over 42,000 protesters to Parliament in opposition to the controversial Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill 2024, also known as the “Treaty Principles Bill.” Beginning in Northland, the march gained momentum as thousands more joined along its route, highlighting widespread discontent with the proposed legislation.
The bill seeks to define how New Zealand courts interpret Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi), New Zealand’s founding document. However, it has sparked outrage, with critics accusing it of misrepresenting Te Tiriti and undermining Maori rights. Signed in 1840 between the British Crown and Maori chiefs (rangatira), Te Tiriti exists in two versions: the Maori text, recognized under international law, and the English version. While broadly aligned, differences in translation have led to long-standing disputes.
The English version states that Maori ceded sovereignty to the Crown, while the Maori text asserts they granted kawanatanga (governance) rather than sovereignty. Similarly, where the English version guarantees Maori rights to property, the Maori version promises protection of rangatiratanga (chieftainship) over lands and resources. Both texts agree that Maori would receive the rights and protections of British subjects, but the inconsistencies in interpretation have fueled conflict since the Treaty’s signing.
Efforts to address these disparities have evolved over decades. The Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975 acknowledged historical breaches and created mechanisms for redress, establishing a Crown-Iwi partnership model to address injustices. This partnership has included initiatives such as Maori representation in governance and consultation on policies affecting Maori communities.
The Treaty Principles Bill challenges this approach. It outlines three principles: full governmental authority and parliamentary supremacy; the removal of specific Maori rights except those provided by historical settlements; and equality under the law, rejecting provisions for particular groups. David Seymour, leader of the ACT Party and the bill’s author, argues that it ensures fairness by treating all citizens equally.
However, critics see the bill as a direct attack on Maori rights.
While ACT’s coalition partners have confirmed they will not support the bill in its second reading, the controversy surrounding it has already deepened divisions in New Zealand. For the next six months, the country faces a heated debate over its history, its commitments, and its future.