The same respect and dignity for all.

ACT's Treaty Principles Bill will ensure our nation's founding document delivers on its promise of equal rights for all New Zealanders.

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The Treaty Articles

ACT believes every child born in New Zealand deserves the same respect and dignity, including equality before the law.

The Treaty Principles Bill would restore the mana of our founding document by ensuring it delivers what it originally promised in 1840: nga tikanga katoa rite tahi – the same rights and duties for all New Zealanders.

Article 1: kawanatanga katoa o o ratou whenua

The New Zealand Government has the right to govern all New Zealanders

Article 2: ki nga tangata katoa o Nu Tirani te tino rangatiratanga o o ratou whenua o ratou kainga me o ratou taonga katoa

The New Zealand Government will honour all New Zealanders in the chieftainship of their land and all their property

Article 3: a ratou nga tikanga katoa rite tahi

All New Zealanders are equal under the law with the same rights and duties

Why are we advancing a Treaty Principles Bill?

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What are the Treaty “principles”?

The Treaty stood for 135 years until 1975 when the then-Labour Government passed the Treaty of Waitangi Act. The Treaty of Waitangi Act stated the Treaty had principles, and it was the job of the Waitangi Tribunal to interpret them. Since then, the Tribunal, the courts, and the public service have gradually built up the principles, but New Zealanders as a whole have never been democratically consulted on these Treaty principles.

The Treaty Principles Bill will not change the Treaty itself. That was set in 1840 and will remain forever. What we are seeking to do is continue the process of defining the Treaty principles, for the first time incorporating the voices of all people through a democratic Parliamentary process, instead of through the Tribunal or the courts.

What is the intention of the Treaty Principles Bill?

What does the Bill do exactly?

Do New Zealanders not currently have equal rights?

What problem are you trying to solve?

How does the Bill deliver equality before the law?

How will the Treaty principles be defined under the new Bill?

What is wrong with the “partnership” interpretation of the Treaty principles?

Will New Zealanders – including Māori – have a chance to give feedback on the proposed principles?

What will happen once Parliament passes the Bill?

Does this Bill have the backing of the coalition Government?

Won’t this debate be divisive?

Does ACT recognise the need to right past wrongs against Māori?

Will this Bill reverse or interfere with Treaty settlements?

What is the future of co-governance if this Bill passes?

Is ACT trying to abolish the Treaty of Waitangi?

Is ACT trying to rewrite the Treaty of Waitangi?

Did Māori cede sovereignty to the Crown?

Didn’t Article 2 of the Treaty only promise chieftainship to Māori?

Where can I find more information on the Treaty Principles Bill?

Watch: Setting the record straight

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Register your support for the Treaty Principles Bill. We'll keep you updated on the campaign, and your backing makes it easier to persuade Parliament to support the Bill to a referendum.

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