The Government is introducing a Bill that will seek to define in law the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi Treaty of Waitangi.
The government has agreed to introduce a Treaty Principles Bill and support it to the select committee stage.
The proposed Bill is based on an ACT Party policy as agreed on in its coalition agreement with the National Party.
The Bill’s detail and introduction date is subject to Cabinet approval, but the proposed intention is to create certainty about what the Treaty principles are and how they apply in New Zealand law.
Once the Bill is introduced to Parliament, the select committee process will bring further scrutiny to the Bill. It will also be an opportunity for the public to give feedback.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi is a founding document of New Zealand and is fundamental to our constitutional arrangements. The Treaty Principles Bill aims to provide an opportunity to build consensus around the place of the Treaty principles in our constitutional and legal arrangements.
The work on this proposed Bill is being led by the Ministry of Justice.
These are the Cabinet papers, related Cabinet Minute and substantive advice (including briefings) related to the Treaty principles Bill, with appropriate redactions, in accordance with the Government’s proactive release policy.
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