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November 21, 2024
Māori barrister creates Treaty Bill submissions template
Atereano Mateariki
Posted On November 21, 2024
Download AudioA Māori human rights barrister has created an easy-to-use template to help Kiwis voice their opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill, offering it as a “koha” to the nation.
Yesterday, the select committee submissions process opened for the bill, giving New Zealanders the chance to voice their opinions on the bill in both te reo Māori and English by 7 January 2025.
Roimata Smail, who wrote the Tiriti how-to guide Understanding Te Tiriti, says the select committee submissions process can be intimidating, so to make it easier and more accessible, she created a template where people only need to fill in their names and say if they want to speak on their submission to ensure people have their say.
“I would encourage people to take every opportunity to have their say, to tell the government directly if you’ve marched or if you couldn’t march, send them a bit of paper too, saying this bill is wrong. Use the Crown’s processes. Tell it in every way possible that this bill is not factual. It doesn’t match what was agreed in 1840,” says Smail.
The template is available on the Wai Ako Books website.
