New Zealand’s Parliament on Thursday decisively voted down a controversial bill that sought to redefine the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, the country’s founding document, following months of public outcry and large-scale protests over the status and rights of indigenous Māori people.
The Treaty of Waitangi, first signed in 1840 between the British Crown and more than 500 Māori chiefs, continues to shape legislation and government policy. Efforts to reinterpret its principles have sparked significant backlash from Māori communities and their allies, who view the treaty as a cornerstone of indigenous rights in Aotearoa.
The bill, championed by David Seymour and his ACT New Zealand party, aimed to have Parliament formally define the treaty’s principles, arguing it would bring “certainty, clarity, and constitutional debate.” ACT secured 8.6% of the party vote in the 2023 election and had made the bill a key policy plank.
As part of coalition negotiations, ACT’s partners — National and New Zealand First — agreed to support the bill through its first reading, but withheld support beyond that stage. On Thursday, the bill was overwhelmingly defeated in its second reading, with 112 MPs voting against and only 11 in favour.
“This bill is dead,” declared Marama Davidson, co-leader of the Green Party, which strongly opposed the legislation. “But our movement for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice is very much alive. Rather than divide us, this bill has unified communities across the motu (country) in defence of our founding agreement and all it stands for.”
The proposal triggered a wave of resistance. In November, tens of thousands marched on Parliament in one of the largest protests in New Zealand’s history. The bill also prompted an overwhelming number of public submissions to the select committee reviewing it.
Opponents argued that redefining the treaty’s principles would undermine Māori rights and exacerbate social division. Supporters, including Seymour, insisted the bill was about democratic clarity, not eroding indigenous standing.
With the bill now formally defeated, many see the moment as a reaffirmation of New Zealand’s commitment to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and a significant victory for Māori advocacy and nationwide solidarity.
