If you’re passionate about being an ally to Māori and supporting their rights in Aotearoa, you might have heard of the Treaty Principles Bill. It’s a hot topic, and for good reason—it impacts the foundational relationship between Māori and non-Māori in New Zealand. Let’s break it down in simple terms so you can understand what’s at stake and how to stand in solidarity with Māori.
The Treaty of Waitangi: A Quick Recap
In 1840, Māori rangatira (Elders/Leaders/Chiefs) and the British Crown signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi). It was meant to be a partnership:
- Māori would retain tino rangatiratanga (sovereignty or self-determination) over their lands, resources, and taonga (treasures).
- The Crown was granted kāwanatanga (governance) to manage the growing settler population.
- Māori were assured equal rights and protections as British citizens while maintaining authority over their affairs.
In theory, this was a framework for coexistence and mutual respect. In practice, colonization saw the Crown breaching these agreements, leading to land confiscations, loss of Māori sovereignty, and significant cultural and social harm.
What Does the Treaty Principles Bill Propose?
Currently, the Treaty principles—like partnership, active protection of Māori rights, and redress for past breaches—are the backbone of how Te Tiriti is applied today. These principles have been shaped by the Waitangi Tribunal and courts to guide laws and policies in respecting Māori as tangata whenua (people of the land).
The Treaty Principles Bill, however, proposes to:
- Remove these established principles.
- Replace them with a focus on individual equality, property rights, and Crown governance over all citizens.
This shifts the Treaty away from its original intent of partnership and collective rights for Māori. It frames Māori as just another group of citizens, rather than Treaty partners with distinct cultural, political, and legal status.
What’s the Big Deal About Sovereignty?
Māori are the sovereign people of Aotearoa. Before 1840, they governed their lands, maintained their own legal systems, and lived in balance with the environment. The Treaty didn’t take this sovereignty away—it was an agreement to share governance while protecting Māori tino rangatiratanga.
If this bill passes, sovereignty becomes even more centralized within the Crown, further sidelining Māori self-determination. Decisions on critical issues, like mining or industries that harm the environment, may no longer require meaningful consultation with Māori, as their legal standing as Treaty partners would be weakened.
How Does This Relate to UNDRIP?
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) recognises the sovereignty and self-determination of Indigenous peoples. It guarantees rights like:
- Control over lands and resources.
- Meaningful consultation and consent on decisions affecting them.
The Treaty Principles Bill threatens these rights because it dismisses Māori as a distinct group with collective sovereignty. It could lead to further breaches of UNDRIP, eroding Māori agency in their own land.
Why Are Non-Māori in Aotearoa?
Here’s the thing: non-Māori are in Aotearoa because Māori permitted it. The Treaty was an agreement to share the land—not to give it away. This means non-Māori live here as part of an arrangement that respects Māori sovereignty. Ignoring that history risks perpetuating the injustices of colonisation.
How Can You Be an Ally?
Allies outside Aotearoa can play a significant role in supporting Māori sovereignty and opposing the Treaty Principles Bill by amplifying the voices of Māori communities and demonstrating solidarity. Here are some practical steps:
- Educate Yourself and Others
Learn about the Treaty of Waitangi and the principles it upholds for Māori self-determination. Share resources and information with your networks to raise awareness about how the proposed bill undermines these rights. - Sign Petitions
International allies can support efforts like online petitions that express opposition to the bill. One example is hosted by ActionStation, a platform actively advocating against the proposed changes to the Treaty. Here’s a petition from Our Action Station which you can SIGN HERE - Amplify the Hīkoi Movement
The current hīkoi (march) against the bill has gained momentum as it moves toward Parliament in Wellington. Share updates on social media and support this historic movement by helping it gain international visibility. - Contact Leaders and Organisations
Reach out to New Zealand’s government representatives to express your concern. Although international citizens cannot vote, they can send letters or emails to New Zealand’s Prime Minister or relevant MPs, highlighting global solidarity with Māori communities. If you’d like to send an email I have a templated letter which you can copy and paste to send. You can grab a copy of it HERE. You can find a list of people and email addresses below. - International Letters of Solidarity Write open letters or emails to New Zealand newspapers, advocacy groups, and international bodies highlighting the importance of upholding Māori rights under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Who to email
Here’s a list of people you can email to show your solidarity with the Maori People.
- David Seymour (Minister for Justice) – seymourd@parliament.govt.nz. He is leading the bill’s introduction and may be open to hearing public feedback.
- Christopher Luxon (Leader of the National Party) – luxon@parliament.govt.nz
- Winston Peters (Deputy Prime Minister, New Zealand First) – w.peters@parliament.govt.nz
- Debbie Ngarewa-Packer (Co-leader, Te Pāti Māori) – debbie.ngarewa-packer@parliament.govt.nz
Final thoughts
Being an ally means standing with Māori as they protect their rights, self-determination, and sovereignty. The Treaty Principles Bill challenges the essence of the Treaty of Waitangi and undermines the foundation of partnership in Aotearoa. By educating yourself and others, and advocating for the integrity of the Treaty, you can contribute to a fairer future that honors Māori as the sovereign people of this land.
Stay Strong in your allyship journey. Together, we can help ensure that justice, respect, and equity prevail.
If you need any help with taking any of these ally actions I’ve suggested, please get in touch. I’m here to help.
Until next time, get onto taking action in solidarity with the Māori People Xx
