Treaty Principles Bill and hīkoi
The story so far
The Government brought forward its Treaty Principles Bill, which could change how courts interpret Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and tabled it in Parliament on 7 November.5, 6, 7 Nov 2024 The bill's first reading in Parliament was marked by a haka led by Te Pāti Māori, the suspension of MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, and the removal of Labour MP Willie Jackson from the chamber.14, 15 Nov 2024 The Hīkoi mō te Tiriti began at Cape Rēinga and grew as it moved south, with about 5,000 people crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge and over 6,000 marching in Hamilton.12, 13, 14 Nov 2024 Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called the bill divisive and did not meet the protesters, while Porirua City Council voted unanimously to oppose it and a petition against it has gathered over 281,000 signatures.11, 20, 21 Nov 2024
Latest
A Porirua city councillor has urged councils across the country to oppose the bill, following the hīkoi's arrival in Wellington.25 Nov 2024 Commentators and letter writers continue to debate the bill's impact and the protest's significance.21, 25 Nov 2024
What's next
The bill is before Parliament's Justice Committee.21 Nov 2024
Key moments
- Government brings forward Treaty Principles Bill introduction to this Thursday.
- Treaty Principles Bill tabled in Parliament; protests in Wellington and Auckland.
- About 5,000 marchers cross Auckland Harbour Bridge in national hīkoi.
- Luxon rules out a conscience vote on the bill.
- Haka and ripped bill in House; proceedings suspended during first reading.
- Estimated 42,000 people fill Parliament grounds at the hīkoi's end.
- Police describe the Wellington march as peaceful, with one arrest.
- Luxon explains not meeting protesters; Deputy PM blames Māori Party.
- Porirua Council votes unanimously against bill; petition passes 281,000 signatures.
Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.
Key people and organisations
David Seymour ACT leader- ACT Party
- National Party
- Te Pāti Māori
- Waitangi Tribunal
Christopher Luxon Prime Minister, National leader
Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke Te Pāti Māori MP- Toitū Te Tiriti
- Eru Kapa-Kingi Former Te Pāti Māori vice-president
- Labour Party
All stories
November 2024
- Porirua councillor calls on other councils to oppose Treaty Principles Bill
- Letters to the editor discuss Treaty Principles Bill and hīkoi
- Porirua City Council opposes Treaty Principles Bill
- Opinions clash over the impact of the Treaty Principles Bill
- Christopher Luxon explains why he did not meet hīkoi protesters
- Tens of thousands march in Wellington against Treaty Principles Bill
- Letters respond to Treaty Principles Bill and haka in Parliament
- Māori hīkoi aims to build unity beyond the Treaty Principles Bill
- Massive hīkoi on Parliament highlights political divide over Treaty of Waitangi
- David Seymour leaves Parliament forecourt amid hīkoi protests
- Tens of thousands march on Parliament for Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti
- Thousands gather at Parliament for Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti
- Parliament increases security as hīkoi arrives in Wellington
- Thousands expected to march on Parliament over Treaty Principles Bill
- ACT Treaty Principles Bill undergoes first reading in Parliament
- Wellington prepares for disruption as Hīkoi mō te Tiriti approaches
- Parliamentary chaos during first reading of Treaty Principles Bill
- Thousands support Hīkoi mō te Tiriti in Nelson and Hamilton
- Treaty Principles Bill passes first reading amid parliamentary disruption
- Luxon refuses conscience vote on Treaty Principles Bill
- Treaty Principles Bill passes first reading amid widespread opposition
- Thousands cross Auckland Harbour Bridge during Toitū te Tiriti hīkoi
- Protesters march through Invercargill against Treaty Principles Bill
- Luxon says Treaty Principles Bill is divisive and a disservice
- Treaty Principles Bill introduced to Parliament amid protests
- Government moves to introduce Treaty Principles Bill earlier than planned
- Government to introduce Treaty Principles Bill this Thursday
Coverage
- Stuff25
- The Post25
- 1News17
- The Press8
- Newsroom4
- NZ Herald3
- Waikato Times2