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A Member’s Bill in the name of ACT leader David Seymour, introduced under the ACT–National coalition agreement. It sought to set out the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi in statute, replacing principles that have been developed over decades by the courts and the Waitangi Tribunal, and define them in three parts. ACT had campaigned to ultimately put the principles to a public referendum, but its coalition partners committed only to supporting the bill to the select committee stage.
Its journey through Parliament
One of the most debated bills of the term. It drew the largest public response to any bill in New Zealand history and a national hīkoi to Parliament.
The bill drew the largest public response to any bill in New Zealand’s history. The Justice Committee received more than 300,000 submissions; of those analysed, about 90% opposed the bill and 8% supported it. On 19 November 2024, tens of thousands of people marched on Parliament in the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti, described as one of the largest demonstrations in the country’s history.
Championed by ACT; supported by National and NZ First only to select committee under the coalition agreement.
Defeated at its second reading on 10 April 2025 by 112 votes to 11, only ACT voted in favour, as National and NZ First had committed to supporting it only to the select committee. The bill will not become law, but the debate over how the Treaty’s principles are defined remains a live election issue.
Neutral summary, January 2026 knowledge cut-off, confirm any later changes at the official source. Politika does not take a side.
