Select Committee Calls to Scrap Treaty Principles Bill Amid Overwhelming Opposition

The Justice Select Committee has recommended that the controversial Treaty Principles Bill not proceed, following a significant public backlash with over 300,000 submissions, 90% of which opposed the legislation. The bill, designed to define principles of the Treaty of Waitangi for legislative clarity, faced strong criticism from Labour, Te Pāti Māori, and the Green Party, who argued it misrepresented the Treaty and undermined Māori rights. While the ACT Party, led by David Seymour, supported the bill, other parties, including National and New Zealand First, withdrew their backing after initial support. The committee's report highlighted the deep divisions surrounding the bill and raised concerns over its constitutional implications. Critics emphasized that the legislation could formalize a narrow interpretation of equality, ignoring historical injustices. The overwhelming opposition underscores the contentious nature of Treaty discussions within New Zealand politics.