A government bill in New Zealand, the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill, was defeated by a significant margin (112 votes against, 11 for). This bill, proposed by Act New Zealand leader David Seymour, aimed to redefine the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi to ensure equal rights for all Kiwis.
The bill faced strong opposition from various parties and the public, leading to one of the largest political marches in Wellington and a record number of submissions to the select committee. The opposition argued that the bill's principles differed from those established in common law.
David Seymour argued that the bill was necessary to initiate a conversation about the Treaty and its place in modern New Zealand. He maintained that his proposed referendum would have provided the ultimate answer.
Despite the bill's defeat, the article suggests that the debate surrounding the bill highlighted the evolving understanding and importance of the Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand's legal and constitutional future. The author notes that the bill's failure may retrospectively be seen as emblematic of the Treaty's past and the opposition as representative of its future trajectory.