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I thought I'd start with the idea, the initiative, if you will, coming out of the think tank, the New Zealand Initiative. I love generally the work that they produce because even though you might not agree with the ideas that they put forward, there's generally a good discussion to be had. You hear the pros, you hear the cons, you think, mmm, okay. This one though, I'm not so sure. More MPs. Increasing the number of MPs in our parliament from 120 to 170. Oh, I don't think so. Our parliament may be small compared with other countries with similar populations, but until the New Zealand voting public has a seismic shift in the understanding of civics and civil society, and refocuses itself, if we all have to refocus on responsibilities over rights, then the fewer politicians, the better. Senior fellow at the Initiative, Nick Clark, says though that we need more politicians because the ones we have are stretched too thinly, they're doing too much work, and that means there's a very real risk of poor legislation being drafted.We have difficulty with select committees in terms of the ability for them to properly scrutinise legislation, and that's partly because the MPs that we do have available are so thinly stretched. We have MPs that end up on multiple committees. They can't give a good handle on what's going on, as much as they perhaps should. They get inundated with submissions. It's a good idea, I think, to just spread the load a bit more by having some more MPs. Also, the electorates that we have are very large, both geographically and in population terms, and they're becoming increasingly difficult for MPs to service the rather complex and intense needs of the constituents. So these extra MPs will be electorate MPs, not list ones. Some will be, yep, yep, ... we'd be looking at the 50/50 split. That was Senior Fellow at the New Zealand Initiative Nick Clark talking to Ryan Bridge this morning. So a few more electorate MPs, but also more list MPs. No, thank you. No, thank you very much at all. Maybe if every MP who was being paid by you and me, by the public purse, was pulling their weight, you could argue a case that they're overworked. But while a large number take the job very seriously, there have been many instances of MPs across the house calling out others for laziness, for not understanding the job and not doing it. I think when we have MPs who are accountable to an electorate, there is a far greater sense of ownership. So if you had more electorates, perhaps I could consider the case for it, but certainly, no. No more list MPs. And in another New Zealand Initiative report, Dr James Kierstead says there's a disconnect between politicians and the people they represent, just as there is in many other democracies around the world. And his report, he says in recent years, governments have enacted a number of policies that were clearly opposed by most Kiwis. Three Waters legislation was forced through despite multiple polls consistently showing that a majority of New Zealanders opposed it. Only a year after Three Strikes legislation was repealed, a poll suggested nearly two-thirds of New Zealanders wanted it to stay on the books, and only 16% of them wanted it repealed. Nonetheless, when Labour came in, they did that anyway. And despite polls showing clear majorities of Kiwis supported the actual wording of the Treaty Principles Bill, it failed to progress beyond its second reading. Dr Kierstead says we need more direct input from citizens as the solution. Again, I'd say no, not until we have a better educated voting population. If you're listening to the show, I'm assuming you know a little bit about politics, you know a little bit about how parliament works. Some will have a greater understanding than others, but you have an interest in politics. You understand how legislation is enacted. You understand why we have a parliament. You understand the roles of MPs. But there are so many who don't. They won't look at policies. They'll either vote tribally or they'll vote because somebody looks better than somebody else does. They won't be looking at what policy is going to mean further down the track. They'll just look at how it directly impacts on them, and that's okay if that's their interest. I just don't think that we are intelligent enough to be either represented well, because let's face it, MPs are drawn from us, and we are an imperfect pool of people. And I don't think we know how to keep them accountable. I don't think we know what to expect of them. I don't think we pull them up when they're making grievous errors of judgment when drawing up their list MPs, looking at you, Greens. Somebody said yesterday that the biggest threats to our society are apathy and ignorance, and I would agree. Increasing the pool of MPs by another 50? We're going to have to do a lot better than that before I'd even remotely concede to discussing that one. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Emz sits down with Duncan Webb on the day of the "mega-strike" when 110,000 workers across the public sector stepped off to the job, and tens of thousands marched the streets to show the govt they are worth investing in and in desperate need of better working conditions and safer staffing. We also chat about the recent announcement to not run for re-election next year, with questions around who will run for the Christchurch Central seat for Labour.James Meager has called for a change to the submission process, citing the "rise of AI submissions", social media campaigns encouraging people to make submissions, efforts of organisations to submit on behalf of many individuals and a lack of govt resources for select committees to process submissions, like the record breaking 300,000 submissions on the Treaty Principles Bill.Is ADHD real? Overdiagnosed? A fad popularised by Social Media? A new podcast The Elephant, co-hosted by Miriama Kamo, looks at the lived experiences of two prominent NZ personalities, and a discussion between two clinicians for an against the legitimacy of ADHD.Plus your regular Friday memes and more!=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of #BHN www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social
A year into her role as Race Relations Commissioner, Melissa Derby reflects on the threats to social cohesion and race relations in New Zealand. She says social media tends to amplify extremist content, and she worries about people becoming radicalised online. . As an academic, and before her appointment as Commissioner, Derby had publicly questioned the impact of notions of systemic racism, particularly with regards to Māori. Q+A asks her about these views and her opinions of affirmative action. . She also says the Government's approach to the Treaty Principles Bill debate "probably wasn't helpful" given "the unilateral nature of that". . Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.
Te Pāti Māori MPs, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi, and Hana Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke have been suspended in Parliament. Co-leaders Ngarewa-Packer and Waititi faced a suspension of 21-days, with Maipi-Clarke facing a suspension of seven days, over their haka in Parliament during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill last year. News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Margaret Mutu, a Māori Studies Professor at the University of Auckland about the ruling, and what impact this will have on the party heading forward.
The recommended suspension for Te Pāti Māori MPs, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi, and Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, over the MP's haka in Parliament during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill last year. Co-leaders Ngarewa-Packer and Waititi will be suspended from the House for 21-days, with Maipi-Clarke facing a seven day suspension. This is Parliament's harshest sanctions in the country's history. Prior to this, the longest suspension an MP had faced in Parliament was three days. The debate had previously been delayed so that the MPs could participate in the Budget debate — however, both co-leaders were not present at the debate. During the debate MP Tākuta Ferris said that the debate was not about the haka, but at the heart, it was the House continuing to ignore Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori sovereignty, and that the “racism” in the House is hardly being hidden. For our weekly catch-up, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Te Pāti Māori's Takutai Kemp about the suspension, and what's next for the party. They also discussed NZ First Party Leader Winston Peters' comments regarding Waititi's moko, referring to the MPs moko kanohi as “scribbles”. He was asked to apologise by the Speaker, which he did. But first, they discussed the suspension of the MPs.
Parliament has been debating the proposed punishment for Te Pati Maori MPs who stood in front of ACT MPs and performed a haka in protest of the Treaty Principles Bill during its first reading. The proposed suspension is 21 days for the co-leaders, and 7 days for Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke. Last month's debate was cut short and delayed when Chris Bishop moved to postpone it until after the Budget. Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Lisa Owen.
Tensions are high in the House, as MPs go head-to-head over proposed sanctions for Te Pāti Māori MPs. The Privileges Committee has recommended seven, and 21-day suspensions for three of its MPs - for actions during a haka performed at last year's Treaty Principles Bill vote. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan unpacks the action from the debate. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Parliament's revisiting potential penalties for three Te Pāti Māori MPs - after the hearing was initially postponed so as not to distract from the 2025 Budget. Proposed suspensions for the three MPs in question are being debated in the House, in relation to their actions during last year's Treaty Principles Bill vote. Political commentator Bryce Edwards has observed there's been plenty of fire from the major political parties - except for Labour. "They're trying to take a sort of middle way and it's hard work for Labour to sort of navigate when the public - or at least Labour's voters - are in favour of some tough measures against the Te Pāti Māori MPs." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Parliament's picking up where it left off last month, debating proposed sanctions on three Te Pāti Māori MPs. The Privileges Committee's suggested Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer be suspended for 21 days, and Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke for seven. The three had performed a haka during a vote on the Treaty Principles Bill last year. Leader of the House Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking he just wants the debate over and done with. He says we need to deal with the issue, but it's a distraction from the need for economic growth, and he hopes it's dealt with swiftly at Parliament this afternoon. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A stay - for Te Pāti Māori MPs expecting debate on possible suspension today. The Privileges Committee recommended suspensions for Rawiri Waititi, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke for a protest haka during voting on the contentious Treaty Principles Bill. But 20 minutes after the debate began, Parliament's voted to adjourn it. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls unpacked today's events - and discussed why National wanted the focus off this matter during Budget week. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Leader of the House says postponing the debate on Te Pāti Māori MPs' sanctions is the right thing to do. Debate began today on proposed suspensions for the Te Pāti Māori MPs who did a haka during voting on the now-rejected Treaty Principles Bill. But 20 minutes in, the Government moved to adjourn it - to leave this week free to be all about the Budget. The opposition were blindsided. Chris Bishop says he was under no obligation to tell them. "There'll be many a chance for people to have their say on the appropriate punishment in a couple of weeks. As it stands, the Government is in favour of the report of the Committee." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The debate on Te Pāti Māori's proposed punishment has been paused until June - but it's still sparked discussion among some. Debate was set to begin today on proposed suspensions for the Te Pāti Māori MPs who did a haka during voting on the Treaty Principles Bill - before the Government moved to adjourn it. Despite this, former co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell has spoken in defence of Te Pāti Māori. "The bigger kaupapa here is around an ability for Māori to express their views in the Parliament of our land - and allow that to happen on the back of what has happened through history in Parliament." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Political parties are gearing up for an extraordinary debate on Tuesday over the punishment that should be handed out to Te Pāti Māori MPs over their Treaty Principles Bill haka. Political Reporter Russell Palmer has more.
Last week the Privileges Committee proposed suspending Te Pāti Māori's co-leaders for 21 days for their haka during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill. Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
A former Speaker of the House has been worried Parliament's standards have been slipping over the past few years. It comes as the Privileges Committee report on Te Pati Māori's behaviour during last year's Treaty Principles Bill vote, will be debated and voted on this afternoon. It proposes a 21-day suspension for the party's leaders, and a seven-day suspension for MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke. Former Speaker Sir Lockwood Smith told Mike Hosking a decision to close the public gallery is wise. He says this will be a test for Speaker Gerry Brownlee because his judgement will be critical. Smith says it's up to him to make sure this debate, which will be watched by many, shows Parliament to be a better place than it's been in the last couple of weeks. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A former Speaker believes suggested punishments for three Te Pāti Māori MPs falls short. Parliament's Privileges Committee has recommended suspensions for the three - for their protest haka during voting on the Treaty Principles Bill. Parliament will vote next Tuesday on whether to suspend the co-leaders for 21 days, and MP Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke for seven. David Carter says the haka was 'intimidating' and 'unacceptable'. "And then to refuse to appear before the Privileges Committee - again, it's yet another contempt of the rules of Parliament." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Claimants in an urgent Waitangi Tribunal hearing say the ACT Party's Regulatory Standards Bill is a more aggressive and stealthier version of the Treaty Principles Bill. Their lawyers presented evidence to the Tribunal on Wednesday in a tight, online-only, hearing that had to be pushed forward by 3 weeks. Maori news journalist Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira filed this report.
Te Pāti Māori MPs will be temporarily suspended from Parliament for "acting in a manner that could have the effect of intimidating a member of the House" after performing a haka during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill. Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke will be suspended for seven days, while co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi will be "severely censured" and suspended for 21 days.
Te Pāti Māori has been granted a stay of execution from the Privileges Committee - at least until tomorrow. Te Pāti Māori was referred to the Privileges Committee following a haka performed during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill in November of last year. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says Committee Chair Judith Collins confirmed the decision on Te Pāti Māori's fate has been delayed until 8:30pm on Wednesday - after the next meeting. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We discuss the failed Treaty Principles Bill and potential for a geopolitical restructuring in the political economy instigated by Trump's tariffs. Where to from here? How can we make the most of the moment?This episode's co-hostsPhilip, Ginny, SimoneTimestamps0:00 Opening 1:41 David Losing the People9:24 Global Discourse of Treaty Principles23:44 Tariffs37:21 Pacific Partnership 50:20 ClosingsIntro/Outro by The Prophet MotiveSupport us here: https://www.patreon.com/1of200
On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 12 April 2025, frontman of Aussie groove-makers the Jungle Giants Sam Hales joins Jack to discuss growing from simple lovers of music to fully fledged artists on the world stage. Jack considers the anti-climactic end to the Treaty Principles Bill. Awards are in the air... Chef Nici Wickes dishes on her top picks from the Outstanding Food Producer Awards and gives her top tips on how best to cook them. Plus, music reviewer Estelle Clifford previews an important night for Kiwi music, the Taite Music Prize, ahead of the awards ceremony on Tuesday. Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The death knell was sounded for the Treaty Principles Bill at its second - and final - reading this week. All parties except ACT voted against the bill, with 11 votes in favour and 112 against. Newsroom's political editor Laura Walters talks to Susie Ferguson.
In the end it was kind of an anticlimax. After almost 18 months of anger, obfuscation, hīkoi and haka, and hundreds of thousands of submissions, the Treaty Principles Bill was voted down in fairly emphatic style. I suspect the majority of New Zealanders are so over it. Looking back, I'd say David Seymour and ACT largely got what they wanted. Te Pāti Māori were perhaps even greater political beneficiaries. And the whole saga will endure as a bit of a stain on Christopher Luxon's tenure as Prime Minister. It was telling that once again, just as for the first reading, this week's vote was scheduled for a time when the PM wasn't in the house. I think being there and suffering through it would have shown greater leadership. I watched the speeches in Parliament and thought David Seymour was right in his observation. Almost none actually considered the substance of the government's defined Treaty principles. Like most of the debate outside of Parliament, they were all emotion. At times, I think what was supposed to be a constitutional debate was boiled down to pretty a basic and unedifying level: pro-Māori vs anti-Māori! Personally, I tried to engage with the detail of the bill in good faith. I think one of the most underrated qualities in people is a genuine capacity to think critically or even change your mind. It's a curiously strange thing these days to come across someone who doesn't instantly default to their team or side. It seemed to me though that there was a fundamental problem with proposed principles. They didn't accurately reflect what the Treaty actually says. Te Tiriti specifically guarantees Māori tino rangatiratanga. It has, if you like, a Māori-specific carve-out that did not appear in ACT's interpretation. In my view, that absence was absolutely critical. Many of the bill's opponents accused ACT of a cynical approach to the debate. I can't speak for the party's motivations, but I do think the most honest approach would have been to define the principles by what is clearly said in the Treaty, rather than what anyone thinks should be said in the Treaty. And that leads me to my final point: the Treaty is clearly an imperfect document. The English and Māori versions say different things. There is no returning New Zealand to 1840, and in the context of the modern day, it's clunky. I do think David Seymour's broader desire about more purposefully defining the Treaty's application and meaning in modern New Zealand, is a good one (or at least worthy of more consideration). For example, I wonder if 200 years from its signing, New Zealand should aspire towards developing some sort of a written constitution underpinned by the Treaty, that gives it better and clearer effect in the modern World. I think the Te Tiriti o Waitangi / Treaty of Waitangi was meant to unify New Zealand. If we're honest, this debate probably had the opposite effect. But I still have faith that once the dust settles, we can collectively find a way to constructively have these conversations and move Aotearoa forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Prime Minister is defending his absence from Parliament yesterday as the Treaty Settlement Bill was voted down. He said he doesn't regret not being there as he was preoccupied with trade issues. Senior Political Editor Barry Soper talks to Ryan Bridge about the Luxon's absence, Phil Goff's unfiltered comments on Trump, and Winston Peters 80th birthday. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Treaty Principles Bill has been defeated at its second reading. National and New Zealand First voted against the bill, as they indicated they would. Labour, the Greens, and Te Pati Maori also voted against the bill. The only party to vote in favour of the bill was ACT. Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Lisa Owen.
It's been called a "grubby little bill" and a "valuable" lesson by its opponents in parliament today. In the coming hours, it is expected the future of the controversial Treaty Principles Bill will be decided. MPs have been engaging in fiery debates during its second reading in Parliament. Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Lisa Owen.
After months of public protest and coalition infighting, the contentious Treaty Principles Bill has finally reached the end of its road - voted down at a heated second hearing. The Prime Minister said now it is time to move on - but ACT's leader David Seymour is refusing to accept that the fight is over. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch has more.
The Treaty Principles Bill is now dead but its architect Act Party leader David Seymour is looking to resurrect something similar at the next election. Political reporter Russell Palmer has more.
Act Leader David Seymour doesn't regret spearheading the Treaty Principles Bill. The widely unpopular bill was voted down by all but its own MPs at its second reading yesterday. MPs called it racist, divisive, ugly, grubby, and an assault on history and rights. Seymour told Mike Hosking he's standing up for equal human rights. He says the Crown has an obligation to uphold all people's rights, including Māori, and we are all equal before the law. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 11th of April, the Treaty Principles Bill is dead, so where does David Seymour go now? And we need to look at how the US' 145% tariffs on China will impact us. Tim Wilson and Kate Hawkesby discuss whether Mike would be the perfect host of the Chase as four episodes are being filmed in New Zealand. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Friday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Let's Flag It/Mark the Week/EV Myths Busted/They Finally Got Back to UsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! One Gisborne District Councillor has copped some backlash once it was revealed they attended just 41 percent of meetings since October. Should attendance for councillors and MPs be mandatory? After today's big reading - the Treaty Principles Bill is officially dead. Was it worth all the debate and discussion and fuss? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Treaty Principles Bill will have its Second Reading at Parliament Thursday. All parties except the ACT party have said they will vote it down. Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Corin Dann.
The Treaty Principles Bill is all but dead, but the fallout from a protest haka in Parliament has Te Pāti Māori MPs at odds with the Privileges Committee After a haka in Parliament last November, three Te Pāti Māori MPs were referred to the Privileges Committee. They've refused to turn up, igniting a debate about the role of tikanga in Parliament.…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Recently, the Justice Select Committee has called for the Treaty Principles Bill to be thrown away. This comes as an analysis by Newsroom shows that 90% of public submissions were against the bill. The committee accepted close to 300,000 public submissions, with 90% opposing the bill, roughly 270,000, 8% in support, and 2% indifferent. News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the spokesperson for Toitu te Tiriti and Professional Teaching Fellow in the Faculty of Law at the University of Auckland, Eru Kapa-Kingi, about these recent developments and how he believes the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti has come into play regarding the public submission protest. They also spoke to Māori Studies Professor at the University of Auckland and Chair of Te Rūnanga-ā-Iwi o Ngāti Kahu, Margaret Mutu, also about these recent developments, and how Te Tiriti o Waitangi is viewed in the country overall.
Three Te Pāti Māori MPs, Hana Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, and Rawiri Waititi, did not attend the Privileges Committee over their contempt of the House, following their haka in Parliament protesting the Treaty Principles Bill. The party instead are planning on holding their own hearing regarding the matter. Privileges Committee chairwoman Judith Collins, called the no-show “unprecedented” and has given the MPs “one final chance” to attend the hearing. For our weekly catch up, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Te Pāti Māori's Takutai Kemp about the party's action, and why they are going about the hearing in their own manner. We also spoke about the repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act passing its final reading. But first, we discussed the party not attending the Privileges Committee.
This week on the Monday Wire: For our weekly catch up, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, speaks to Te Pāti Māori's Takutai Kemp about Te Pāti Māori MPs not attending the Select Committee over their contempt of the House due to their haka in Parliament over the Treaty Principles Bill and their plans to hold their own hearing, and the repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act passing its final reading. For our weekly catch up Producer Evie spoke to the ACT Party's Simon Court about the justice select committee releasing its report recommending the bill be scrapped, the tariffs imposed on New Zealand trade by the US last week, as well as ACT MP Andrew Hoggard facing criticism over potential conflicts of interest. Evie spoke to Senior Economics Lecturer at the University of Otago, Murat Ungor about the impact of Donald Trump's trade tariffs on Aotearoa and its economy. Joel spoke to the spokesperson for Toitū te Tiriti and Professional Teaching Fellow in the Faculty of Law at the University of Auckland, Eru Kapa-Kingi, and Māori Studies Professor at the University of Auckland and Chair of Te Rūnanga-ā-Iwi o Ngāti Kahu, Margaret Mutu, about the Justice Select Committee calling for the Treaty Principles Bill to be thrown away, with an analysis by Newsroom showing 90% of submissions were against the bill. And Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins us in studio to discuss non-linear careers. Whakarongo mai!
Christopher Luxon says he has no regrets about the Treaty Principles Bill. Parliament's Justice Committee has recommended the bill not proceed when it returns to the House, after public submissions were overwhelmingly opposed to it. The Prime Minister says it's time for the debate to end. He told Mike Hosking allowing the bill to proceed to committee stage, but refusing to support it any further, is the right approach. LISTEN ABOVE OR WATCH BELOW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Treaty Principals Bill is on its way to the gallows as the select committee came back Friday and suggested it wasn't getting its support. It was voted past first reading but it wont get past round two. What I learned out of it was several things. 1) This country is not up for much of a debate around complex or big ideas. We are myopic in our approach. We hate and we love and middle ground is irrelevant. There was a venom and aggressiveness to a lot of submissions. 2) From those who submitted that actually knew what they were talking about, as opposed to merely having an opinion, it very quickly became clear there is massive disagreement over interpretation. These were scholars and lawyers and historians, in other words, "experts". They couldn't agree. That to me was the big clue. If the “learned” can't agree, surely that means we need something, legally speaking, to define what we are dealing with. There is a major case in Christchurch at the moment between Ngai Tahu and the Crown over water rights. It is in the court because there is nothing definitive in law as to what the Treaty does, and doesn't, do. We seem to accept that Parliament is the ultimate court, yet on the Treaty we appear happy to litigate for decade after decade, have a tribunal that is wildly tainted and nothing like a proper court, and each and every time we dabble in this area you and I are picking up the tab. The other outworking of course is the ongoing grief and angst. This is a very divided nation. This is not a harmonious nation with an agreed legal stance around the Treaty. But putting it out to a vote the way Act wanted was a mistake It's too important for that. Pik N Mix democracy never works. The other thing I learned politically is it should never have seen the light of day if it wasn't going all the way. This goes to the Chris Luxon negotiation skills. It should have been either dead before it started, or it got the full treatment. What we got was a half-baked, deeply divided mess that ended up achieving nothing. Even those who argue it started the debate are wrong. Because if it's floated for another day we won't carry on where we left off. We will have to start all over again.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Global markets plunge in reaction to President Trump's tariffs, South Korea's court upholds President Yoon's impeachment, The EU and Central Asian nations deepen ties in their first-ever summit, An Israeli strike kills a Hamas commander in Lebanon, A New Zealand committee rejects the Treaty Principles Bill, President Trump claims Iran wants direct talks amid mounting tensions, Donald Trump fires high-level national security officials, The Pentagon launches an investigation into Pete Hegseth's Signal use, A US tourist is arrested for visiting an isolated tribe in the in the Andaman Islands, and Africa's first AI global summit kicks off in Rwanda. Sources: www.verity.news
After 300,000 submissions, tens of thousands of feet on the road in one of the biggest hikoi this country has ever seen - and tens of thousands of tax-payer dollars spent on the debate, the Parliament's Justice Committee has recommended that ACT's Treaty Principles Bill not proceed. ACT campaigned on holding a public vote to scrap the principles that have been established through the courts - such as partnership - and codifying in law a new interpretation focused on what it says is "all New Zealanders being "equal under the law". The Justice Committee revealed that 90 percent of submissions were opposed, 8 percent supported the bill and and 2 percent were unsure. Massey Professor of Politics Richard Shaw speaks to Mihi.
Three MPs from Te Pati Maori say they will refuse to attend a hearing with Parliament's Privileges Committee tomorrow because their - quote fundamental rights - are being ignored. Party co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer plus Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke were summoned to face the committee over their peformance of a haka at the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill last year. Maori News Journalist Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira spoke to Lisa Owen.
Labour's Peeni Henare has apologised for leaving his seat to perform a haka during the Treaty Principles Bill's debate - but he stands by performing it, and says he would do it again.
A former National Minister has told the Justice Committee the Treaty Principles Bill is "irretrievably flawed" and a former Prime Minister says the Bill has "damaged the collective fabric of the nation." The comments were made as the oral submissions on the Treaty Principles Bill continued today. But as Lillian Hanly reports, there were voices strongly in favour of the bill too - which led to some debate among submitters.
From a substantial cabinet reshuffle, the start of oral submissions on the Treaty Principles bill, and lately, talk of privatisation - there's lots happening in politics.
ACT leader David Seymour's Treaty Principles Bill is being considered by the Justice Select Committee. It received an unprecedented number of written submissions and the committee made a selection to ensure hearing a broad range of views for the first sessions on the Bill. RNZ political reporter Lillian Hanly takes a look back at the first ten hours of oral submissions.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
From the Treaty Principles Bill submissions to Rātana to the Waitangi Tribunal shake-up, 2025 looks to be a big year for race relations in AotearoaThe Treaty Principles Bill is dead in the water, but that hasn't stopped the conversation around it from spilling into meetings and events around the country…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The Treaty Principles Bill is designed to "subjugate, humiliate, assimilate and oppress iwi Maori" - that's just a taste of the criticism presented to MPs on the justice select committee at today's first hearing of submissions. More than 300,000 online written submissions were received and the sheer enormity of that number means the committee agreed to hear a range of views across 80 hours in the coming weeks. The bill has proved to be one of the most controversial in recent history. Lillian Hanly reports.
The political year kicked off with a dramatic reshuffle that sees Shane Reti removed from health in favour of Simeon Brown, James Meager made minister for the South Island and Nicola Willis in the renamed role of minister for economic growth. Alongside a caucus retreat and a state of the nation speech from prime minister Christopher Luxon, it's all part of an effort to reset the agenda. Fresh from their own exhausting retreat, Toby Manhire, Ben Thomas and Annabelle Lee-Mather regather to assess that effort, and the background against which it plays: a poll that puts Labour ahead of National and points to pessimism within the electorate, a volatile global context as Trump returns to the White House, a record response to the Treaty Principles Bill as Luxon declines his invitation to Waitangi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices