The Government is progressing the Treaty Principles Bill, designed to erode te Tiriti o Waitangi by undermining the way it is applied in law. E tū opposes this bill and joins the mobilisation of tāngata whenua (Māori), tāngata Tiriti (non-Māori), and many groups and organisations in saying “Toitū te Tiriti” (Honour the Treaty)!
What is the difference between te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Treaty of Waitangi?
Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Treaty of Waitangi are two versions of the agreement signed in 1840, but they differ in important ways. Te Tiriti, written in te reo Māori, promised Māori chiefs that they would keep control (tino rangatiratanga) over their lands, resources, and people, while giving the British Crown the right to govern (kāwanatanga). The Treaty, written in English, suggested the Crown would have more control, implying full sovereignty over New Zealand. These differences, especially regarding who holds power, have caused conflict and debate ever since.
What are the Treaty principles?
The “Treaty principles” were created and developed over the past 40 years through various legal processes to help guide how te Tiriti should be recognised today. While the articles of te Tiriti and the Treaty set out specific promises about things like governance and land, the principles focus on the broader ideas behind those promises. Principles like partnership, participation, protection, and fairness have been developed to have te Tiriti applied in a way that works for modern Aotearoa, encouraging Crown and Māori representatives to work together in good faith.
What is wrong with the Treaty Principles Bill?
Distortion of Te Tiriti: The Bill claims to “clarify” the principles of the Treaty but fundamentally alters their meaning by selectively and incorrectly interpreting the reo Māori text. The new principles totally betray the original Tiriti, denying tino rangatiratanga (self-determination).
Erasure of Māori rights: The proposed principles eliminate the recognition of Māori as tāngata whenua, focusing instead on individual rights “for all New Zealanders”. This ignores both the historical context and more recent understandings, which confirm Māori have the right to have their sovereignty over their land and resources, and all their taonga protected.
How does this relate to my workplace?
Imagine if your employer announced that they were changing your collective agreement, as it gave rights to union members but not to other non-union workers. This is what is happening with the Treaty Principles Bill. One party (the Crown) is changing the meaning of the contract without agreement.
In the union movement we understand the importance of good faith relationships and honouring agreements. We value the integrity of our own collective agreements. We need to stand up for the integrity of te Tiriti, too.