TREATY PRINCIPLES BILL SET TO PASS FIRST READING DESPITE ODDS

It’s D-Day for the government’s Treaty Principles Bill, with the legislation up for its first reading after Question Time on Thursday afternoon. The bill’s supporters are confident that it will pass through Parliament despite opposition from various parties and protesters.

The Background

The Treaty Principles Bill is a piece of legislation aimed at defining the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, which was signed by the British Crown in 1840 and has been interpreted as a founding document for New Zealand. The bill’s supporters argue that it will provide clarity on how to interpret legislation in relation to the treaty, while its opponents claim that it will revoke the promises and guarantees made to Māori in 1840.

National Party’s Stance

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has stated that his party supports the bill to first reading, but plans to vote it down if it comes to a vote. This stance is seen as contradictory by some, who believe that National should have stood by its coalition agreement with ACT. The ACT leader, David Seymour, believes that those opposing the bill simply need to read it, while Labour leader Chris Hipkins argues that National has betrayed voters’ trust.

Protest and Opposition

Thousands of protesters are making their way down the Auckland Harbour Bridge as part of a large hīkoi, which is expected to arrive in Wellington next week. The protesters argue that the bill tramples on the mana of the Treaty of Waitangi, which is seen as a sacred document by many Māori. RNZ has spoken to various people at the protest, including Māori lawyer Maree Sylva, who believes that the bill needs to be read and understood before opposing it.

Opposition Parties’ Plans

The opposition parties are gearing up to fight the bill on Thursday, with Te Pāti Māori’s Debbie Ngarewa-Packer saying that they will work together to oppose it. She did not rule out doing something “special” for the bill’s first reading today, but laughed when asked about it. Labour leader Chris Hipkins believes that National should have backed down from supporting the legislation through the first reading.

What’s Next?

The Select Committee process is expected to take six months before the legislation is read a second time. Those living in the middle of the North Island can expect to see the hīkoi pass by in the coming days as it makes its way south. The debate is only just starting, with many questions still unanswered.

Key Points

* The Treaty Principles Bill is up for its first reading after Question Time on Thursday afternoon.
* National Party supports the bill to first reading but plans to vote it down if it comes to a vote.
* ACT leader David Seymour believes that those opposing the bill simply need to read it.
* Labour leader Chris Hipkins argues that National has betrayed voters’ trust.
* Thousands of protesters are making their way down the Auckland Harbour Bridge as part of a large hīkoi.
* The opposition parties are gearing up to fight the bill on Thursday.

Analysis

The Treaty Principles Bill is a highly contentious piece of legislation that is likely to polarize opinions in New Zealand. While some see it as a necessary step towards clarifying the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, others believe that it will revoke the promises and guarantees made to Māori in 1840. The debate is only just starting, with many questions still unanswered.

The opposition parties’ plans to fight the bill on Thursday are likely to be successful, given the strong support for the protesters and the vocal criticism of National’s stance. However, it remains to be seen whether the Select Committee process will be able to provide clarity on the bill’s provisions.

Conclusion

The Treaty Principles Bill is a complex piece of legislation that requires careful consideration and analysis. While some may see it as a necessary step towards clarifying the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, others believe that it will revoke the promises and guarantees made to Māori in 1840. The debate is only just starting, with many questions still unanswered.