Te Kōhao Health Managing Director Lady Tūreiti Moxon says the Treaty Principles Bill oral submissions represent an important moment for the country to be seen.
Yesterday, nearly nine hours of public submissions on the controversial bill were heard by the Justice Select Committee.
As the second submitter to the Justice Committee yesterday, Moxon says bill architect David Seymour is appealing to those who feel Māori are privileged.
However, this submissions process is demonstrating that both Māori and non-Māori are united in their opposition to the bill.
She says National and New Zealand First are consistently assuring their intention to vote down the bill during its second reading, yet tensions remain high.
“The fact is, they’ve said this and said this over and over again. But here we are nonetheless going through a process that was unnecessary, going through a process that puts all of us on red alert. The whole country on red alert. Look, there is a place for all of us in this country,” says Moxon.
The oral submissions are expected to continue on Thursday.
