New Zealand Parliament Rejects Treaty of Waitangi Redefinition Bill 112-11

On Thursday, New Zealand's parliament decisively rejected the contentious Treaty Principles Bill, which sought to redefine the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 between Māori chiefs and the British Crown. The bill was defeated with a vote of 112 to 11, prompting celebrations among lawmakers and public supporters who sang a Māori folk song in the chamber. Critics, including many Māori leaders and activists, viewed the bill as an attempt to undermine Indigenous rights, leading to significant public opposition, including over 300,000 submissions against it and massive protests last November. The bill's defeat has been hailed as a victory for Māori rights advocates, with Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson stating that the movement for Treaty justice remains strong. The Treaty of Waitangi serves as a foundational document guiding the relationship between Māori and the government, with ongoing debates about its interpretation and implications for Māori rights in New Zealand law. While the bill's defeat is a setback for its proponents, discussions about Māori rights and the Treaty are expected to continue.