Treaty Principles Bill
The story so far
The Government brought forward the introduction of the Treaty Principles Bill to November 2024, and the bill was tabled in Parliament amid protests in Wellington and Auckland.5, 6, 7 Nov 2024 A national hīkoi opposing the bill marched from Cape Rēinga towards Wellington, drawing an estimated 5,000 people across the Auckland Harbour Bridge.12, 13 Nov 2024 The bill passed its first reading, with the Anglican Church, Ngāti Toa and 42 king's counsel among those opposed. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called the bill divisive and ruled out a conscience vote.11, 14 Nov 2024 The Justice Committee began hearing oral submissions in January 2025, after more than 300,000 written submissions. Opponents included a former prime minister, iwi leaders and a former Justice Minister, while a former finance minister spoke in support.27, 30 Jan 2025; 20, 26 Feb 2025 A haka performed during the first reading led to Privileges Committee action. Labour MP Peeni Henare was recommended to apologise, and three Te Pāti Māori MPs were recommended for suspension.11, 26 Mar 2025; 14 May 2025
Latest
Parliament voted in early June 2025 to suspend Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi for 21 days, and MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke for seven days, after a tense debate. The co-leaders also received a severe censure.5, 7 Jun 2025 Ngarewa-Packer said the Privileges Committee process is not equipped to handle the haka issue.7 Jun 2025
Key moments
- Treaty Principles Bill is tabled in Parliament amid protests.
- About 5,000 people cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge in the national hīkoi.
- The bill passes its first reading amid widespread opposition.
- Winston Peters says the bill will not pass its first reading.
- Justice Committee begins oral submissions after more than 300,000 written submissions.
- Privileges Committee recommends Peeni Henare apologise but finds no contempt.
- Privileges Committee recommends unprecedented suspensions for three Te Pāti Māori MPs.
- Parliament votes to suspend the three Te Pāti Māori MPs.
Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.
Part of this topic
Key people and organisations
David Seymour ACT leader- Te Pāti Māori
- ACT Party
Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke Te Pāti Māori MP
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer Te Pāti Māori co-leader
Rawiri Waititi Te Pāti Māori co-leader- Privileges Committee
- National Party
- Justice Committee
- Labour Party
All stories
June 2025
- Te Pāti Māori leaders suspended from Parliament for 21 days
- Te Pāti Māori MPs suspended following haka in Parliament
- Te Pāti Māori MPs suspended for Treaty Principles haka protest
+1 - House to debate proposed suspension of Te Pāti Māori MPs
May 2025
- David Seymour condemns charity fight challenge from Eru Kapa-Kingi
- Te Pāti Māori co-leaders absent from Budget debate
- ACT sought advice on punishments for Te Pāti Māori MPs
- Debate on Te Pāti Māori punishments postponed by government
- Protests held over proposed exclusion of Te Pāti Māori MPs
- Parliament debates proposed suspensions for Te Pāti Māori MPs
- Parliament adjourns debate on Te Pāti Māori MP suspensions+2
- Parliament adjourns debate on Te Pāti Māori suspension
- Luxon rejects concessions on Te Pāti Māori suspensions
- Te Pāti Māori MPs face suspension over protest haka+1
- Te Pāti Māori MPs suspended for performing haka in House+2
March 2025
- Privileges Committee recommends Peeni Henare apologise for disorderly behaviour
- Peeni Henare apologises for breaking rules during Parliament haka+2
- Privileges Committee to hold hearing over haka in Parliament
February 2025
- Tāme Iti makes submission on Treaty Principles Bill
- Annette Sykes criticises the Treaty Principles Bill
- Wellington mayor and submitters voice concerns over Treaty Principles Bill
- Iwi leaders and former PM criticise Treaty Principles Bill
- Dame Jenny Shipley criticises Treaty Principles Bill at committee hearing
- Submissions continue for Treaty Principles Bill in Wellington
- Justice Committee announces next group of Treaty Principles Bill submitters
- David Seymour's hapū requests he skip Waitangi Day commemorations
January 2025
- Lush and Whanganui councillor oppose Treaty Principles Bill
- Kiri Allan opposes Treaty Principles Bill during select committee hearings
- Parliament begins hearings for the Treaty Principles Bill
- Oral submissions begin for the Treaty Principles Bill+2
- Winston Peters says Treaty Principles Bill is dead
- Justice Committee to hear 80 hours of Treaty Principles Bill submissions
- Treaty Principles Bill submission period closes after record response
- Descendants of Treaty of Waitangi translators oppose Treaty Principles Bill
- Treaty Principles Bill submissions reopened after website technical issues+3
- Iwi representatives lose confidence in Taranaki Regional Council
- Calls for extension after Treaty Principles Bill submission website crashes+3
- Unprecedented number of submissions made on Treaty Principles Bill
+4
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
- Letters respond to Treaty Principles Bill and haka in Parliament
- Tens of thousands march in Wellington against Treaty Principles Bill
- 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
- Stuff53
- 1News33
- NZ Herald30
- The Post28
- RNZ25
- The Press19
- Otago Daily Times16
- Newsroom9
- Waikato Times3