Labour MP Arena Williams says rangatahi voices were the standouts in this week’s Treaty Principles Select Committee submissions.
The committee has completed 12 of the expected 80 hours of hearings on ACT leader David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill.
Williams, the MP for Manurewa, says hearing how rangatahi feel about legislation like this was a refreshing contrast to the experienced politicians who usually dominate select committee discussions.
“Seeing young people speaking their truth to power in the select committee room, it can be incredibly intimidating, staring down not only just one select committee worth of MPs, but also extra MPs sitting in there and trying to create politics around these submissions. So very cool to see young people taking up the wero,” says Williams.
Arena Williams says rangatahi, through social media and their committee submissions, are shifting the discussion beyond Parliament—contrary to Seymour’s intentions.
