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August 28, 2024
Socvereignty debate a distraction from economic issues says Jones
Adam Gifford
Posted On August 28, 2024
Download AudioNew Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones says he can’t understand why Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins has allowed himself to be drawn into a debate on whether Māori ceded sovereignty.
In response to quizzing by Greens co-leader Chloe Swarbrick, Prime Minister said Māori ceded sovereignty to the Crown in the Treaty of Waitangi.
On Monday’s Te Ao with Moana on Whakaata Maori, Mr Hipkins said based on court rulings and what’s come out in the treaty settlement process, the answer to that question is no – but that doesn’t mean that the Crown doesn’t have sovereignty now.
Mr Jones says as a parliamentarian he regards parliament as sovereign, and the Treaty is the foundation document setting out the ongoing existence of Maori rights and privileges.
“I feel the challenges facing New Zealand are of a far more dire nature than delving into different interprtetaitons of the Declaration of Independence, the 1840 signing of the treaty, is the Maori language verrsion more tapu than the English version? I’m quite astounded actually the leader of Labour has decided to go off in that direction. I guess it’s an attempt to win back some favour and bring the younger voters back to Labour away from the Maori Party
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