Yesterday, after a marathon nine-hour session, over 40 submitters delivered 10-minute presentations at Parliament concerning the Treaty Principles Bill.
Most submitters, including the New Zealand Māori Council, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, and Te Ara Taiohi, opposed the Bill.
One of the submitters, Treaty of Waitangi expert and constitutional lawyer Natalie Coates, from Ngāti Awa, addressed the Justice Select Committee, asserting that the proposed bill represents a complete and legally sanctioned rewrite of the Treaty of Waitangi.
“This bill would shake the foundations of legal certainty in our country. It would obliterate 40 years of jurisprudence and necessitate relitigation across all areas of law where te Tiriti is relevant. What is proposed here strays into territory beyond what is constitutionally appropriate behaviour by the executive and by Parliament,” said Coates.
Submissions are set to continue this week as Parliamentarians gather today for their first session of 2025.
