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Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Deletion Bill halted
The Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Deletion Bill looks set to go no further after the Justice and Electoral Committee yesterday recommended it not be passed.
The Bill, sponsored by New Zealand First, passed its first reading in June 2006. It sought to eliminate all references to the expression "the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi" from New Zealand statute. New Zealand First argued the inclusion of this term in legislation had harmed race relations in New Zealand.
Of the 171 submissions received by the committee, 160 opposed the Bill. As well as the lack of public support, the committee was concerned that the Bill had been applied to some pieces of legislation and not others. Many Acts containing the phrase were excluded from the Bill without explanation, it said. The committee also believed that the Bill would erode the relationship between Maori and the Crown and that it reflected New Zealand First's minority view.
Click here to read the select committee's report.
For more information contact:
Damian Stone
Senior Associate
