March 01, 2024
Changes treaty reference iwi suppression says Waititi
Māori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi says the Government is rushing iwi-suppression laws through parliament.
He says putting the house into urgency is valid for a crisis like Cyclone like Gabrielle or Covid 19, but there should be no need to rush the disestablishment of the Māori Health Authority or allow people to have semi automatic weapons.
There are also amendments to change references to Te Tiriti o Waitangi into the Treaty of Waitangi.
“They continue to uphold the narrative that the treaty of Waitangi, which is very different to Te Tiriti o Waitangi – Te Tiriti o Waitangi confirms the pre-existing rights of te iwi Māori to its rangatiratanga. The Treaty of Waitangi says we ceded sovereignty. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed by only 50 chiefs. Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed by over 500 chiefs,” Mr Waititi says.