Rangitāne o Wairau Opposes Treaty Principles Bill – Members Encouraged to Submit

Rangitāne o Wairau has submitted to the Justice Committee, strongly opposing the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill, which seeks to redefine and limit the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Rangitāne o Wairau has also requested to present our submission in person to the Select Committee.

Kaiwhakahaere Matua (General Manager) Corey Hebberd says the Bill constitutes a serious breach of the Crown’s Treaty obligations.

“This Bill fundamentally undermines the Treaty relationship. It attempts to strip away the principles that have long guided the Crown’s obligations to Māori and would have far-reaching consequences for our rights and our future,” says Hebberd.

Rangitāne’s submission outlines concerns that the Bill breaches Te Tiriti o Waitangi, weakens Aotearoa’s constitutional foundations, and disregards key legal precedents.

“Te Tiriti is a cornerstone of our nation. This Bill not only marginalises Māori but also threatens the progress we’ve made towards a fair and just society. The Crown must withdraw the Bill and engage meaningfully with tangata whenua on these critical issues,” Hebberd says.

We encourage our members to submit on this Bill and make their voices heard. The closing date for submissions is 11.59pm Tuesday, 07 January 2025.

How to Make a Submission:

You can make a submission here: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/make-a-submission/document/54SCJUST_SCF_227E6D0B-E632-42EB-CFFE-08DCFEB826C6/principles-of-the-treaty-of-waitangi-bill

If you need guidance on preparing a submission, please read our guide here.