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New Zealand Parliament Overwhelmingly Rejects Treaty Principles Bill

The controversial proposal to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi was defeated by a 112-11 vote, ending a divisive chapter in the nation's debate over Māori rights.

People march to the parliament in protest of the Treaty Principles Bill, in Wellington, New Zealand, November 19, 2024. REUTERS/Lucy Craymer/File Photo
A student opposing the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill sits outside New Zealand's Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand, Thursday, April 10, 2025.(AP Photo/ Charlotte Graham-McLay)
Thousands of people gather outside New Zealand's parliament in November 2024 to protest a proposed law that would redefine the country's founding agreement
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Overview

  • The Treaty Principles Bill, proposed by ACT New Zealand leader David Seymour, sought to reinterpret the Treaty of Waitangi and redefine Māori rights under New Zealand law.
  • Parliament voted decisively against the bill, with 112 votes opposing it and only 11 in favor, marking its formal rejection on April 10, 2025.
  • The bill faced widespread public opposition, including New Zealand's largest-ever protest on Māori rights and a record-breaking 300,000 public submissions, 90% of which opposed the legislation.
  • Key coalition partners, including the National Party and New Zealand First, initially supported the bill through its first reading but ultimately voted against it during the decisive vote.
  • Although the bill has been defeated, broader concerns about government policies affecting Māori welfare and treaty obligations remain unresolved, continuing to fuel national debate.