Treaty Bill driven by ACT, not New Zealand First

Claudette Hauiti Shane Jones | Treaty Bill driven by ACT, not New Zealand First

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New Zealand First Deputy Leader Shane Jones says a certain percentage of the country supports ACT’s vision, but the Treaty Principles Bill is not something New Zealand First agrees with.

The controversial Treaty Principles Bill was tabled in Parliament yesterday, two weeks ahead of schedule.

ACT Party Leader David Seymour, who is the Minister in charge of the Bill, was absent from the House, as was Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

Jones acknowledges ACT has more democratic support than New Zealand First.

“You have to respect the fact that he got more votes than New Zealand First, 8 or 9% and there are a range of New Zealanders who have confidence in David and his vision. It is not a vision that New Zealand First either will uphold or share,” says Jones.

Christopher Luxon will be attending APEC—the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference in Peru—so he will miss the first reading scheduled for Thursday, 14th November.

Luxon denies Cabinet rushed the bill into the House to overshadow the hīkoi planned to arrive on the 19th.

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