The Treaty Principles Bill has been voted down in New Zealand’s Parliament, ending over a year of strong debate.
The bill was supported only by the ACT Party and was defeated with 112 votes against it. Many MPs and people in the public gallery celebrated the decision with applause and song.
The bill, introduced by ACT Party leader David Seymour, aimed to define how the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi should be written into New Zealand law. These principles help guide how the government works with Māori.
Seymour argued that the Treaty principles needed clear legal definitions. He believed they had become too open to interpretation by judges and government officials. His proposed bill would have changed the way the Treaty is understood in law and possibly led to a national vote.
But other parties, including Labour, National, the Greens, and New Zealand First, did not agree. They said the bill could harm Māori rights and lead to more confusion and court battles. Labour leader Chris Hipkins called the bill “a stain on our country,” while Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said most public submissions on the bill were against it.
Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke reminded Parliament that Māori have long fought to have their voices heard. She said the bill was more than just a political debate—it was about respecting New Zealand’s history and promises made in the Treaty of Waitangi.
The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840, is considered the founding agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Since then, its principles have guided how the two groups work together. Although these principles are not written into law, they are used by the courts and government to make decisions.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon did not attend the debate but later said it was time to move on and focus on the country’s other priorities.
