RACS recognises Te Tiriti O Waitangi in Aotearoa New Zealand, being an agreement between the British Crown and Māori as the foundation for giving the Crown the right to Kawanatanga (govern) and Māori the right to exercise Tino Rangatiratanga or self-determination. Indigenous Health advocates in both New Zealand and Australia are aware of inequitable health outcomes to the point that there is an impact on life expectancy.
Our submission to the Coalition Leaders noted:
- statements from the Māori Law Society saying that this Bill is divisive and will exacerbate inequity
- the Waitangi Tribunal, the Government’s permanent Commission of Inquiry into breaches of the Te Tiriti, has recommended abandonment of the Bill; that the policy to review all Treaty clauses in other legislation be put on hold while it is reconceptualised through collaboration and co-design with Māori; and that the Crown consider a partnership with Māori to undo the damage to the Māori-Crown relationship and restore confidence in the honour of the Crown
- senior officials’ advice to Ministers warning that the Bill would damage the Māori-Crown relationship, and risked undermining social cohesion; and “by engaging with this policy, the Crown is sanctioning a process that will take away indigenous rights”.
The Bill was introduced to Parliament on 11 November 2024, with the Prime Minister indicating that the National Party would not support it beyond the first reading. The discussion is already having an impact on social cohesion.
Our submission to the Coalition Leaders noted:
- statements from the Māori Law Society saying that this Bill is divisive and will exacerbate inequity
- the Waitangi Tribunal, the Government’s permanent Commission of Inquiry into breaches of the Te Tiriti, has recommended abandonment of the Bill; that the policy to review all Treaty clauses in other legislation be put on hold while it is reconceptualised through collaboration and co-design with Māori; and that the Crown consider a partnership with Māori to undo the damage to the Māori-Crown relationship and restore confidence in the honour of the Crown
- senior officials’ advice to Ministers warning that the Bill would damage the Māori-Crown relationship, and risked undermining social cohesion; and “by engaging with this policy, the Crown is sanctioning a process that will take away indigenous rights”.
The Bill was introduced to Parliament on 11 November 2024, with the Prime Minister indicating that the National Party would not support it beyond the first reading. The discussion is already having an impact on social cohesion.