Ēhara tāku toa i te toa takatahi, engari he toa takitini

Thank you to everyone who made their voice heard and submitted their opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill. Your support is crucial in ensuring that Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the rights of Māori are upheld.

While the submission period has now closed, we want to keep you informed and provide an opportunity to read the submission made on behalf of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Trust. In our submission, we expressed our strong opposition to the Bill, highlighting the significant risks it poses to Māori rights, Treaty protections, and the future of Māori-Crown relations.

Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Trust Submission Overview:

• Opposition to the Bill: We argued that the Bill misinterprets Te Tiriti o Waitangi, undermines Māori rights, and fails to engage meaningfully with Māori communities.

• Waitangi Tribunal Findings: We echoed the Tribunal’s concerns, highlighting the Bill’s potential to diminish Māori rights and the Crown’s obligations, making it harder for Māori to access justice and redress.

• The Impact on Our Communities: With our first reading for settlement still fresh, we are deeply concerned about how the Bill, alongside other proposed policies, threatens the mana whenua of Māori and the future of our communities.

• Call for Genuine Partnership: We stressed the importance of working together in genuine partnership, as called for by the Waitangi Tribunal, to ensure Māori interests are respected in all future policies.

What’s Next?

The Select Committee is now reviewing all submissions, and we will continue to monitor the process closely. We remain committed to fighting for the protection of Māori rights and the restoration of trust in the Māori-Crown relationship.

Once again, thank you to all whānau who contributed to this effort. Your actions today are shaping the future of Aotearoa and ensuring that Māori rights are not only protected but strengthened for generations to come.