The Treaty Principles Bill 2024 (TPB) passed it's first reading in the House of Parliament on Thursday 14th November 2024. The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 is New Zealand's founding document. Written in both English and Maori, there is still disagreement about the exact meaning of the Treaty amongst Maori. Essentially the Treaty states that Maori from that date in 1840 ceded sovereignty to the British Crown in return for the protection of their land and possessions and endowment of all the rights and responsibilities of British subjects. The official wording of the Treaty of Waitangi can be read here: https://lnkd.in/gM4vGqEB. For those who want to read more on the Treaty Principles Bill 2024, it can be read here: https://lnkd.in/gcHpZTnV. Despite a law passed in 1975 which attempted to define or direct how the Treaty should be interpreted for land claims, the official interpretation of the Treaty and how it is to be applied by government has changed and evolved through case law. It is this changing interpretation that the current 2024 bill has been tabled in parliament to respond to and clarify.
We stand with Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti in upholding the mana of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Tomorrow, the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti will descend onto Pāremata, marking a stand for Māori sovereignty and the full recognition of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It challenges the ongoing efforts to rewrite history and diminish the Treaty’s intent. We stand in solidarity with the movement to protect Te Tiriti. Whītiki tauā e hoa mā—kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui! Image credit: @imagesbydavide #ToitūTeTiriti #ToitūTeWhakaputanga #ToitūTeReoMāori #ManaMotuhake #TinoRangatiratanga #Hīkoi
