96-827: The Treaty Principles Bill , or the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill , is a government bill promoted by David Seymour of the ACT New Zealand party. It aims to define the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi . Prior to the 2023 New Zealand general election , ACT had campaigned against the Sixth Labour Government 's co-governance policies and advocated a binding referendum on co-governance. The bill has sparked significant controversy in New Zealand society. Although generally supported by
192-521: A mixed-member proportional (MMP) voting system to elect the 120 members of the House of Representatives . Each voter gets two votes: one for a political party (the party vote) and one for a local candidate (the electorate vote). Political parties that meet the threshold (5% of the party vote or one electorate seat) receive seats in the House in proportion to the share of the party vote they receive. 72 of
288-593: A $ 35,000 donation from Tom Bowker. By 1 May, the Christchurch-based Weft Knitting company had donated $ 100,000 to the Green Party, at the time the largest single election donation in 2023. By 23 June, the Green Party had received a total of about $ 500,000 in donations, including a $ 50,000 donation from film director James Cameron and his wife Suzy Amis Cameron , and another $ 50,000 donation from actress Lucy Lawless . In addition,
384-488: A $ 50,000 donation from party president John Tamihere . Economist Max Rashbrooke has argued that businesses and unions should not be allowed to donate to political parties and urged New Zealand to follow Canada and several European countries in limiting donations to registered voters. During the regulated period prior to election day, parties and candidates have limits on how much they may spend on election campaigning. The limits are updated every year to reflect inflation. It
480-462: A 23-percentage-point swing against it, failing to mobilise its previous voters in Auckland , especially among young renters or those living in the poorest electorates. National conversely improved its party vote share by 12 points, but returned the second lowest vote share of any party that won the most seats under MMP, the lowest being in 1996 . Additionally, Labour and National's combined vote share
576-481: A Parliamentary select committee. In return, ACT dropped its election demand for a referendum on the Treaty of Waitangi. On 19 January 2024, a Ministry of Justice memo on the proposed Treaty Principles legislation was leaked. The proposed bill had three principles: that the New Zealand Government has the right to govern all New Zealanders; the New Zealand Government will honour all New Zealanders in
672-586: A Questions and Answers section outlining the party's approach to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and a video featuring Seymour. Seymour also contested claims that the government was trying to rewrite or abolish the Treaty of Waitangi. The public information campaign also came after a leaked Justice Ministry memo claimed that the proposed bill clashed with the text of the Treaty. ACT's proposed Treaty Principles Bill consists of three articles, It sets out three articles, Article 1 Māori : kawanatanga katoa o o ratou whenua The New Zealand Government has
768-583: A Saturday, and ten days is required for the counting of special votes , the last possible date for the next election to be held is 13 January 2024. However, it was widely accepted by political commentators, news media and the Electoral Commission that the next election would be held in late 2023. News website Stuff , as part of its annual political predictions, predicted that the election would be in November so as not to coincide with
864-585: A candidate dies between the opening and closing of the vote. In 2023, this occurred for the first time since the adoption of MMP (indeed, since 1957). The ACT candidate for Port Waikato , Neil Christensen, died on 9 October. As a result, the electorate vote was required to be cancelled in the electorate, and a by-election was scheduled for November, after the general election, to determine the MP for Port Waikato. Voters in Port Waikato continued to cast party votes in
960-691: A challenge against the Treaty Principles Bill at the Waitangi Tribunal , describing the proposed bill's interpretation of the Treaty as "inaccurate and misleading." They also contended that Māori never ceded sovereignty to the New Zealand Crown . On 15 May, the Tribunal heard testimony from University of Auckland Māori Studies Professor Margaret Mutu , who described ACT's Co-Government Policy Paper as "nonsensical" and
1056-565: A coalition government with ACT and New Zealand First. On 27 November 2023, Luxon was sworn in as prime minister by Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro , thereby marking the end of six years under the Sixth Labour Government and the beginning of the Sixth National Government . The previous general election held on 17 October 2020 resulted in a majority for the Labour Party , winning 65 seats, allowing them to continue
SECTION 10
#17327797375971152-599: A discussion document entitled "Democracy or co-government?" which proposed a new Treaty Principles bill that would end the focus on partnership between Māori and the Crown and interpret " tino rangatiratanga " solely as property rights. By contrast, most scholars of the Māori language define "tino rangatiratanga" as the equivalent of " self-determination " in the English language. The proposed Treaty Principles bill does not mention Māori,
1248-667: A misinterpretation of the Treaty. In addition, Northland iwi Ngāti Kahu submitted a letter to King Charles III , calling on him to stop what they called a "violent attack" on the Treaty. On 16 August 2024, the Waitangi Tribunal released its interim report into the ACT party's Treaty Principles Bill and New Zealand First's proposed review of the Treaty clauses. The Tribunal recommended that the Treaty Principles Bill should be abandoned. An October 2024 poll by Curia found New Zealand First voters most supportive and Te Pāti Māori voters
1344-474: A preamble and three articles in two languages, English and Māori. As some words in the English treaty did not translate directly into the written Māori language of the time, the Māori text is not an exact translation of the English text, particularly in relation to the meaning of having and ceding sovereignty. These two versions have significant differences in wording and interpretation, particularly regarding sovereignty and governance. The points of difference in
1440-732: A referendum on co-governance as a condition for entering into coalition with any future government led by centre-right National Party . Seymour argued that the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi was not a partnership between the New Zealand Crown and Māori, and therefore co-governance arrangements were not a "necessary extension" of that. He also claimed that co-governance arrangements created resentment and division. ACT's proposed law and referendum would affect co-governance arrangements at several Crown Research Institutes , state-owned enterprises and healthcare providers such as Te Aka Whai Ora (the Māori Health Authority). However, Seymour indicated that
1536-435: A registered party with candidates in all 72 electorates is permitted to spend $ 3,735,200 on campaigning for the party vote. Electorate candidates are permitted to spend $ 32,600 each on campaigning for the electorate vote. Registered parties are allocated a separate broadcasting budget for radio and television campaigning. Only money from the broadcasting allocation can be used to purchase airtime; production costs can come from
1632-517: A second time, with the first time being the End of Life Choice Act 2019 . On 13 November 2024, 40 King's Counsels wrote a letter to Prime Minister Luxon and Attorney-General Judith Collins urging the National-led coalition to withdraw the bill on the grounds that it "seeks to rewrite" the Treaty of Waitangi. In response, Seymour defended the bill and argued that it would give everyone a voice in
1728-535: A total of $ 700,000 to right-wing parties including National, ACT and NZ First. Of this amount, National had received $ 400,000, ACT $ 200,000 and NZ First $ 100,000 from Hart and his company, the Rank Group Limited. In late July 2024, Radio New Zealand reported that the National, Labour, ACT, Green, New Zealand First parties and Te Pāti Māori had received a total of almost NZ$ 25 million in donations during
1824-400: A total of NZ$ 2 million during the 2023 election, 13 times the amount spend during the 2020 general election. According to the Electoral Commission, seven of the 31 registered third-party promoters spent more than NZ$ 100,000 in the lead-up to voting. These seven third parties were Tim Barry's "Vote for Better" campaign ($ 386,514.99), Jordan Williams ' New Zealand Taxpayers' Union ($ 371,565.05),
1920-703: Is a signatory to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ( UNDRIP ), which emphasizes the importance of using Indigenous language versions of treaties and agreements. Despite not being incorporated into law, UNDRIP has begun to influence policy and judicial decisions in New Zealand. For example, the Declaration has been referenced in several decisions of the Supreme Court of New Zealand and extensively in rulings of
2016-412: Is illegal in New Zealand to campaign on election day itself, or within 10 metres of an advance polling booth. For the 2023 general election, every registered party contending the party vote is permitted to spend $ 1,388,000 plus $ 32,600 per electorate candidate on campaigning during the regulated period, excluding radio and television campaigning (broadcasting funding is allocated separately). For example,
SECTION 20
#17327797375972112-515: The 2021 Australian census , making up 2.1% of Australia's total population. Political parties registered with the Electoral Commission can contest the general election as a party. To register, parties must have at least 500 financial members, an auditor, and an appropriate party name. A registered party may submit a party list to contest the party vote, and can have a party campaign expenses limit in addition to limits on individual candidates' campaigns. Unregistered parties and independents can contest
2208-491: The 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum would be held on 14 October 2023. This means that tens of thousands of New Zealand Australians would be voting in two polls on the same day. Some have suggested that the referendum may have an impact on Māori issues in the New Zealand election. Australia has the largest number of New Zealand expats in the world, with 530,491 New Zealand-born people living in Australia as of
2304-434: The 2023 census . The remaining 48 seats are filled by candidates from each party's closed party list . If a party wins more electorates than seats it is entitled to under the party vote, an overhang seat occurs; in that case, the party winning overhang seats keeps that many extra seats in addition to the 120 seats distributed proportionally. New Zealand electoral law also allows for an overhang seat to be created if
2400-529: The Crown . In March 2022, the libertarian ACT Party announced a policy that it would introduce a new law defining the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi if elected into government following the 2023 election . ACT rejected the idea that the Treaty of Waitangi was a partnership between the New Zealand Crown and Māori tribes ( iwi ), arguing that the Crown had a right to govern all New Zealanders. In 2014,
2496-606: The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights , and that it infringed on the Māori right to self-determination. Seymour claimed the memo was a "natural reaction" from a bureaucracy that had "presided over increasing division over these issues", but stated the Ministry of Justice was not biased in its advice. The leak came on the eve of King Tūheitia 's national hui on 20 January. In response, Minister of Justice Paul Goldsmith confirmed that
2592-535: The Māori King Tūheitia called for a national hui (meeting) on 20 January to unify Māori and discuss the potential impact of the Government's Treaty policies. On 15 January, Tūheitia raised the matter of the bill during a private meeting with Prime Minister Luxon and Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka . On 9 May 2024, Ngāpuhi kaumātua (tribal elder) Hone Sadler and several claimants filed
2688-540: The National-led coalition government , it has drawn criticism from opposition parties Labour , Green , and Te Pāti Māori , as well as Māori leaders and bodies including the Waitangi Tribunal . A number of legal critics have argued the Bill undermines Māori rights and disrupts established interpretations of the Treaty, and have called the Government to abandon it. ACT and Seymour say the current principles have distorted
2784-716: The New Zealand Dairy Workers Union , Maritime Union of New Zealand , Rail & Maritime Transport Union, NZ Meatworkers Union and the Amalgamated Workers Union. Notable private donors included Dame Jenny Gibbs (ACT), gym owner Phillip Mills (Greens and Labour), businessman Trevor Farmer (National, ACT and NZ First), and retired judge Robert Smellie (Labour). Several political parties also received tithes and donations from candidates, politicians, and party members; with ACT receiving $ 5,200 from MP Karen Chhour and Te Pāti Māori receiving
2880-544: The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union , Groundswell NZ , and Hobson's Pledge of publishing attack advertisements against him and the Labour Government. In late September 2023, Hobson's Pledge launched a series of attack advertisements targeting Labour leader Chris Hipkins, with the caption "Delivers division, not outcomes." In late February 2024, RNZ reported that third party groups had spent
2976-458: The Sixth Labour Government unrestricted in the 53rd Parliament. Their coalition partner from the 52nd Parliament, New Zealand First , did not receive enough votes to pass the five percent threshold or win in an electorate , removing them from Parliament. Confidence and supply partner the Green Party received 10 seats, up two, becoming the first minor party ever to increase their share of
Treaty Principles Bill - Misplaced Pages Continue
3072-724: The Taxpayers' Union found that 45% supported the Treaty Principles Bill, 25% opposed it, and 29% were unsure. Government bill (law) Too Many Requests If you report this error to the Wikimedia System Administrators, please include the details below. Request from 172.68.168.226 via cp1108 cp1108, Varnish XID 201480659 Upstream caches: cp1108 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Thu, 28 Nov 2024 07:42:17 GMT 2023 New Zealand general election Chris Hipkins Labour Christopher Luxon National The 2023 New Zealand general election
3168-402: The government . Since the introduction of MMP in 1996, no party had won enough votes to win an outright majority of seats until the landslide 2020 Labour victory, which gave them 65 seats. When no party has commanded a majority, parties have had to negotiate with other parties to form a coalition government or a minority government . With 123 seats (because of the Port Waikato overhang and
3264-464: The remaining electorate MP determined in the 2023 Port Waikato by-election , due to the death of one of the general election candidates. Two overhang seats were added due to Te Pāti Māori winning six electorate seats when the party vote only entitled them to four seats, with an additional overhang seat added after the by-election making for 123 members of parliament. The incumbent centre-left Labour Party , led by Chris Hipkins , were defeated at
3360-521: The youngest MP elected in 170 years and in the process unseated incumbent foreign affairs minister Nanaia Mahuta . Prime Minister Hipkins conceded on election night, paving the way for a National-led government under Christopher Luxon. To form a government, the National Party required support from the ACT Party and New Zealand First. On 24 November 2023, Luxon announced the formation of
3456-445: The "divisive" legislation. Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer described the inclusion of iwi and hapū as insufficient. Similar criticism was voiced by Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono , and Labour MPs Willie Jackson and Cushla Tangaere-Manuel . On 7 November, the three opposition parties Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori issued a joint statement opposing the introduction of the Treaty Principles Bill claiming that it disregarded
3552-601: The 120 seats are filled by the MPs elected from the electorates , with the winner in each electorate determined by the first-past-the-post method (i.e. the candidate with the most votes wins). Electorate boundaries for the election were the same as for the 2020 election, with 65 general electorates (49 in the North Island and 16 in the South Island ) and 7 Māori electorates. Boundaries are due to be redrawn in 2024, after
3648-434: The 2020 election were returned on 20 November 2020; as a result, the 53rd Parliament must dissolve no later than 20 November 2023. Writs must be issued within seven days, so the last day for issuance of the writs is 27 November 2023. Writs must be returned within 60 days of their issuance (save for any judicial recount, death of a candidate, or emergency adjournment), which would be 26 January 2024. Because polling day must be
3744-476: The 2023 general election, the biggest total declared in New Zealand history and three times the amount declared during the 2017 New Zealand general election . National received $ 10,349,174.83, Labour $ 4,769,449.21, ACT $ 4,262,712.50, the Greens $ 3,314,650.60, NZ First $ 1,877,216.69 and Te Pāti Māori $ 160,749.58. According to RNZ's analysis, several businesses including Christopher and Banks Ltd, Alpha Laboratories and
3840-459: The Bill would undergo a six month-long select committee process, concluding in May 2025. On 5 November 2024 it was announced the Bill's timetable was to introduce it to Parliament on 7 November, with the first reading debate advanced to the week of 11–15 November. Prior to that the times had been understood to be: On 14 November, the Treaty Principles Bill passed its first reading despite opposition from
3936-514: The Bill: 1. Civil Government: The Government of New Zealand has full power to govern, and Parliament has full power to make laws. They do so in the best interests of everyone, and in accordance with the rule of law and the maintenance of a free and democratic society. 2. Rights of Hapū and Iwi Māori: The Crown recognises the rights that hapū and iwi had when they signed the Treaty. The Crown will respect and protect those rights. Those rights differ from
Treaty Principles Bill - Misplaced Pages Continue
4032-405: The Crown, iwi (tribes), and hapū (subgroups) but refers only to "New Zealanders". ACT Party leader Seymour refused to identify whom his party had consulted when developing its co-governance and Treaty of Waitangi policies, particularly its redefinition of "tino rangatiratanga" as property rights. As part of ACT's "colour-blind" policies, its social-development spokesperson Karen Chhour advocated
4128-775: The Government's Clean Car Discount), the Natural Health Alliance and SB Group (which advocated for a repeal of the Therapeutic Products Act and supported NZ First). The Labour Party's campaign chairperson was Minister Megan Woods and campaign manager was Hayden Munro . The party also enlisted the services of advertising company "Together" as a media buyer . On 17 May 2023, the Labour Party government attacked National's record on healthcare. On 27 May, Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni launched Labour's first election policy: to keep
4224-794: The Greens $ 100,000, and NZ First $ 50,000 in business donations between early 2021 and September 2023. During the same period, Labour received $ 275,000 in large donations from unions but received no significant business donations. In 2023, Labour received $ 600,000 in large donations from individuals and unions. An interim report published by the Independent Electoral Review has recommended limiting political donations to individuals, and banning businesses and unions from donating to parties. Review member Professor Andrew Geddis expressed concern about banning businesses from donating to parties but allowing unions to donate. On 18 September, RNZ reported that billionaire Graeme Hart had donated
4320-571: The Justice Ministry would investigate the leak and described the document as a draft that had not yet been considered by the Cabinet. In addition Seymour, who had promoted the legislation, accused the Ministry of being part of a bureaucracy that was "resistant to change." Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer used the leak to rally opposition against the Government's proposed constitutional changes. Following
4416-489: The Labour Government announced several justice policies including introducing legislation to punish adults convicted of influencing young people to commit crimes, making the publishing of recordings of criminal behaviour on social media an aggravating factor in sentencing, making ram-raiding a criminal offence with a ten-year sentence and allowing 12 and 13-year old ram raiders to be tried in Youth Courts. On 31 July,
4512-618: The Labour Party received a total of $ 458,000 in donations. The ACT, National, and New Zealand First parties also raised a total of $ 1.15 million, about $ 700,000, and $ 517,000 in big donations respectively. Property developer Trevor Farmer also donated $ 50,000 to the National Party, $ 200,000 to ACT, and $ 50,000 to New Zealand First. Other notable wealthy donors to the National Party have included philanthropists Brendan and Jo Lindsay (who donated $ 100,000), and Jeffrey Douglas ($ 51,000). On 14 September, Radio New Zealand (RNZ) reported that National had received $ 1.1 million, ACT had received $ 375,000,
4608-599: The Labour campaign launch in Auckland was interrupted by protesters from Freedoms New Zealand . The Labour party announced a policy of free dental care for under 30s, starting in July 2025. On 6 September, Hipkins announced Labour's five part economic plan and also promised to lead a trade delegation to India within the first 100 days of government if re-elected. On 7 September, Labour announced several law and order policies including adding 300 frontline Police officers, expanding
4704-467: The Labour, Māori and Green parties. Support from the National Party and NZ First was guaranteed under the Coalition agreement, but only up to the second reading. During the debate, Labour MP Willie Jackson was ordered to leave by Speaker Gerry Brownlee after refusing to withdraw a comment accusing ACT leader Seymour of lying about the Treaty of Waitangi. Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke
4800-438: The Māori version were in articles 1 and 2 of the treaty. "Sovereignty" was translated as "kāwanatanga" which means 'governance' and many chiefs believed they were ceding the government of the country but maintaining the rights to manage their affairs. "Undisturbed possession of properties" was translated as " tino rangatiratanga " of "taonga katoa", This means 'chieftainship/full authority' over 'all treasured things'. New Zealand
4896-502: The National Party had raised NZ$ 2.3 million from 24 big donors in 2022 to fund their 2023 election campaign. The ACT Party raised NZ$ 1.1 million in large donations in 2022. By comparison, the incumbent Labour Party had raised $ 150,000 during that same period including a $ 50,000 donation from the family of Les Mills gym owner Phillip Mills . The Green Party raised $ 122,000 through personal contributions from co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson . The New Zealand First party received
SECTION 50
#17327797375974992-575: The New Zealand co-hosted 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup , which finishes in August, and the 2023 Men's Rugby World Cup , which finishes in October. On 19 January 2023, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Saturday 14 October 2023 as the election date. The indicative schedule for the election is as follows: On 30 August 2023, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced in Adelaide that
5088-580: The Rank Group donated to the National, ACT and NZ First parties. While the Green Party received donations from the Weft Knitting Company and Clarity Cloudworks and Te Pāti Māori received $ 14,900 from Lathan Construction, Labour received no donations from businesses in 2023. In the past, businesses had donated to parties on both sides of the spectrum. According to RNZ, Labour received a total of $ 335,000 from several unions including E tū ,
5184-457: The Treaty Principles Bill "if there was prevailing compelling evidence to change one's mind." When Labour leader Chris Hipkins pressed Peters further on the matter, Peters said that Māori leaders Peter Buck , Maui Pomare and James Carroll had concluded there were no principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. In response to the 9 September cabinet outline of the bill, Hipkins described the Treaty bill process as shambolic and urged Luxon to jettison
5280-400: The Treaty Principles Bill has generated much controversy and drawn criticism from Māori leaders and bodies including the Waitangi Tribunal , the opposition parties Labour , Green , Te Pāti Māori , religious leaders and lawyers. The Waitangi Tribunal found that "the Crown had breached the Treaty principles of partnership and reciprocity, active protection, good government, equity, redress, and
5376-553: The Treaty Principles Bill passed its first reading in Parliament. On 19 November, the select committee started public submissions on the bill closing on 7 January 2025. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and Māori chiefs. Notably, 39 chiefs signed the English version of the Treaty, while over 500 signed the Māori version, which is referred to as Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It includes
5472-540: The Treaty debate. Hobson's Pledge , a conservative anti- affirmative action for Māori lobby group, has started a pro-Treaty Principles Bill campaign aimed at the Prime Minister, referring to him as a "scaredy cat" for not supporting the bill further. A poll conducted in February 2024 showed 36% in support of a referendum, with 35% opposed, the rest undecided. An October 2024 poll by Curia and commissioned by
5568-674: The Treaty of Waitangi and ignored Māori voices. On 9 September 2024, 400 Christian leaders including three Anglican archbishops , the Catholic Archbishop, a Catholic Cardinal, the Methodist Church president and the Salvation Army commissioner signed an open letter calling on MPs to vote against the Treaty Principles Bill and affirming their commitment to honouring the Treaty of Waitangi. In response, Seymour accused church leaders of interfering in democracy
5664-410: The Waitangi Tribunal ruled that the Māori chiefs who signed Te Tiriti never ceded sovereignty. The Māori population was estimated at just over 100,000 at the beginning of 1840. The settler population was 2000. This law would only come into effect following a referendum on Māori co-governance arrangements that would be held at the 2026 general election. The party's leader David Seymour also called for
5760-500: The Waitangi Tribunal. In 1975, the New Zealand Parliament passed the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975 , which established the Waitangi Tribunal , and introduced the phrase principles of the Treaty of Waitangi . The principles were not defined as the Tribunal was intended to interpret them and apply them based on the intentions of the Treaty. Treaty principles have also been defined by the courts , Waitangi Tribunal and
5856-622: The abolition of Te Aka Whai Ora. After the formation of the Sixth National-led coalition government , the National and New Zealand First parties agreed to support the legislation up to the select committee level while ACT dropped its demand for a referendum. Following a leak in January 2024, ACT released a draft of the proposed bill in February 2024 and embarked on a public information campaign to promote it. Since its announcement,
SECTION 60
#17327797375975952-530: The age for free breast cancer screening, and to develop an endometriosis action plan. On 18 September, Labour campaigned on introduced rebates for rooftop solar panels and batteries, and a NZ$ 20 million community energy fund. That same day, campaign manager Woods confirmed that Labour would rule out an electoral deal with the Green Party in tight electorate seats. On 22 September, Hipkins announced that Labour would retain its free lunch school programme if re-elected. On 23 September, Labour promised to introduce
6048-399: The article 2 guarantee of rangatiratanga. Following the 2023 New Zealand general election , a National-led coalition government was formed with the support of the ACT and New Zealand First parties in late November 2023. As part of ACT's coalition agreement with the National Party, the parties agreed to introduce a Treaty Principles Bill based on existing ACT party policy and support it to
6144-550: The basis that they were a "group of parties" that had joined forces. The plaintiffs argued that the Broadcasting Act 1989 did not clearly define what was a "group of parties" and that the Electoral Commission had not published clear criteria for how their parties had joined forces. On 17 July 2023, the High Court dismissed the case. The final broadcasting allocation was released on 8 September 2023. For comparison,
6240-402: The bill "does not accurately reflect Article 2, which affirms the continuing exercise of tino rangatiratanga. Restricting the rights of hapū and iwi to those specified in legislation, or agreement with the Crown, implies that tino rangatiratanga is derived from kāwanatanga. It reduces indigenous rights to a set of ordinary rights that could be exercised by any group of citizens." In January 2024,
6336-427: The chieftainship of their land and all their property; and that all New Zealanders are equal under the law with the same rights and duties. The Ministry's paper expressed concerns that the proposed law would conflict with the rights and interests of Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi, that the Crown was trying to define Treaty principles without consulting with Māori, that the Bill breached international agreements such as
6432-435: The coalition parties would support the Bill after its first reading, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reiterated that the National Party would not support the bill beyond its first reading. Similarly, New Zealand First also pledged not to support the Bill beyond its first reading. The final version of the bill will be considered by Cabinet again before its introduction to Parliament in November 2024. Cabinet also agreed that
6528-476: The cost of a 30-second television slot in October 2023 ranged from $ 250 during the daytime to over $ 29,000 on TVNZ 1 during 1 News at 6pm and Country Calendar . Third-party promoters, such as trade unions and lobby groups , can campaign during the regulated period. The maximum expense limit for the election is $ 391,000 for those promoters registered with the Electoral Commission, and $ 15,700 for unregistered promoters. As of 3 October 2023 ,
6624-559: The electorate vote only. Since the 2020 election, six parties have been deregistered: Mana on 5 May 2021, Advance New Zealand on 19 August 2021, Sustainable NZ on 15 December 2021, New Zealand TEA Party on 21 September 2022, New Zealand Social Credit Party on 28 February 2023, and Heartland New Zealand on 22 June 2023. Tāmati Coffey announced his intention to retire in March 2023 but reversed his decision in July. On 18 January 2023, The New Zealand Herald reported that
6720-537: The following third-party promoters were registered for the general election: In early September 2023, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU) launched an advertisement campaign attacking National Party leader Christopher Luxon. In response, National's campaign chair Chris Bishop accused the NZCTU and Labour Party of promoting negative campaigning . The NZCTU's president Richard Wagstaff defended
6816-474: The general election expenses budget. The Electoral Commission determines how much broadcasting funding each party gets, set out by part 6 of the Broadcasting Act 1989 . The allocation is based a number of factors including the number of seats in the current Parliament, results of the previous general election and any by-elections since, and support in opinion polls. An initial broadcasting allocation
6912-474: The general election. Electoral law requires that 120 seats, excluding overhang, are filled proportionally through the general election. Therefore the electoral system provided for a 49th list MP to be elected through the general election and a 121st MP (excluding other overhang seats) through the Port Waikato by-election . The political party or party bloc with the majority of the seats in the House forms
7008-399: The leak, staff from other government agencies became required to physically visit the Ministry of Justice offices to look at hard copies of Cabinet papers relating the Treaty Principles Bill to prevent leaks. On 7 February 2024, ACT embarked on a public information campaign to promote the Treaty Principles Bill. This campaign includes the creation of a new website called "treaty.nz," which has
7104-605: The least supportive of the bill. New Zealand Prime Minister and National Party Leader Christopher Luxon said of the bill: "We don't support it because we think it is divisive, and you know, we're proud of the Treaty of Waitangi." During King Tūheitia's 18th Koroneihana (coronation anniversary celebration) in mid-August 2024, both Prime Minister Luxon and NZ First senior minister Shane Jones reiterated that National and NZ First would not support ACT's Treaty Principles Bill beyond its first reading. In response, ACT leader David Seymour said that Luxon and Jones had "closed their minds" when
7200-518: The left-wing New Zealand Council of Trade Unions ($ 299,344.11), Don Brash 's Hobson's Pledge ($ 283,898.73), the clean car advocacy group Better NZ Trust ($ 266,069.39), Bob McCoskrie 's conservative Family First New Zealand advocacy group ($ 204,771.40) and farming advocacy group Groundswell NZ ($ 141,061). Other notable third parties with significant campaign spending included the Motor Trade Association (which campaigned against
7296-400: The legislation had not yet finished drafting. Former Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres labeled the bill as "the most divisive piece of legislation to be put before Parliament," expressing concerns over its potential to damage race relations in New Zealand. On 23 August, NZ First leader Winston Peters said during Question Time in Parliament that he was willing to change his mind on
7392-488: The marginal seat with a large swing away from Labour. In the 2022 Hamilton West by-election , National gained the seat from Labour. Since the previous election, the leadership of both the Labour and National parties changed. Christopher Luxon replaced Judith Collins as National leader on 30 November 2021. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced her resignation on 19 January 2023 and was succeeded later that month by education minister Chris Hipkins . New Zealand uses
7488-532: The new law would preserve existing co-governance arrangements with the Waikato , Ngāi Tahu , Tūhoe and Whanganui iwi (tribes). In response, Māori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith described ACT's proposed co-governance referendum and policies as being motivated by racism and reflecting a " Pākehā " unwillingness to share power. Similarly, Waikato leader Rahui Papa claimed that ACT's co-governance policies clashed with
7584-466: The original intent of the treaty and created different rights for some New Zealanders, resulting in Māori having different political and legal rights and privileges compared with non-Māori, and provides an opportunity for parliament, rather than the courts, to define the principles of the treaty. An October 2024 poll commissioned by the Taxpayers' Union found that 45% supported the Treaty Principles Bill, 25% opposed it, and 29% were unsure. On 14 November,
7680-428: The overhang seats awarded to Te Pāti Māori), a party, coalition, or minority government with confidence and supply support requires 62 seats for a majority. The last time an overhang this large, three additional seats in Parliament, occurred was in 2008. Unless an early election is called or the election date is set to circumvent holding a by-election, a general election is held every three years. The previous election
7776-1164: The party released its official list of 76 party list candidates. Several Labour MPs including Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta , Soraya Peke-Mason , and Greg O'Connor also confirmed they would be standing solely as electorate candidates. On 13 August, Labour announced that it would remove the goods and service tax (GST) for fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, and would increase the "Working for Families" programme for families. Labour's proposed GST policy attracted criticism including economist Brad Olsen , Child Poverty Action Group economist Susan St John, Health Coalition Aotearoa food expert Sally Mackay, Stuff political editor Luke Malpass, Newshub political editor Jenna Lynch, Newsroom journalist Marc Daalder, and The New Zealand Herald business journalist Jenée Tibshraeny. On 15 August, Labour campaigned on extending paid parental leave from two weeks to four weeks if re-elected, almost three weeks after Labour voted down National's proposed bill allowing parents to share their leave entitlement. On 19 August, Labour launched its Māori campaign and released its Māori language manifesto. On 2 September,
7872-452: The polls, with the centre-right National Party , led by Christopher Luxon , becoming the largest party in the new parliament. The election saw the worst defeat of a sitting government in New Zealand since the introduction of the MMP voting system in 1996 , with Labour going from having 65 seats in the first-ever outright majority any party had won under MMP to winning just 34 seats. Labour faced
7968-408: The right to govern all New Zealanders Article 2 Māori : ki nga tangata katoa o Nu Tirani te tino rangatiratanga o o ratou whenua o ratou kainga me o ratou taonga katoa The New Zealand Government will honour all New Zealanders in the chieftainship of their land and all their property Article 3 Māori : a ratou nga tikanga katoa rite tahi All New Zealanders are equal under the law with
8064-450: The rights everyone has a reasonable expectation to enjoy only when they are specified in legislation, Treaty settlements , or other agreement with the Crown. 3. Right to Equality: Everyone is equal before the law and is entitled to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination. Everyone is entitled to the equal enjoyment of the same fundamental human rights without discrimination. While Seymour expressed hope that
8160-480: The same rights and duties On 9 September 2024, a draft outline of the Treaty Principles Bill was tabled at a Cabinet meeting, with its basic outline being signed off. ACT leader Seymour also confirmed that the legislation would mention hapū (sub-group) and iwi (tribal) rights to tino rangatiratanga (self determination) and property ownership in Article 2. Cabinet agreed for the following principles to be included in
8256-509: The second and third articles of the treaty which (he argued) guaranteed Māori participation in the social sector. In response, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reiterated the Labour Government 's commitment to co-governance arrangements. Meanwhile, National Party leader Christopher Luxon refused to commit to a referendum on co-governance, but acknowledged that further clarity on co-governance was needed. In October 2022, ACT released
8352-1094: The superannuation age at 65 years and above. On 28 May, Hipkins announced Labour's second election promise: that it would retain the Apprenticeship Boost scheme. On 12 July, Hipkins ruled out introducing a capital gains tax if Labour was re-elected to Government. On 16 July, Labour launched its election campaign and unveiled its election slogan "In It For You." Hipkins also campaigned on cutting inflation, reducing living costs, public safety, and investing in education, health and housing. On 17 July, Labour introduced its youth crime package which included building two "high-needs units" within existing youth justice residences in Auckland and Christchurch, improving safety and security at youth justice residences, focusing on crime prevention measures including family group conferences, and empowering Family Courts to require youth offenders to perform community service including cleaning graffiti and rubbish disposal. That same week,
8448-580: The theory of co-governance . National made gains in many Auckland electorates that were once considered to be safe Labour seats, such as Mount Roskill and New Lynn , whilst also coming close to winning Jacinda Ardern 's former seat of Mount Albert after the left vote was split between Labour and the Greens. The Greens won three electorates, gaining Rongotai and Wellington Central from Labour, while ACT won two electorates, gaining Tāmaki from National. Te Pāti Māori claimed five Māori seats from Labour, which saw 21-year-old Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke become
8544-430: The union's advertisement campaign, claiming that it was targeting National's policies including the elimination of fair pay agreements, the restoration of 90-day work trials, and public sector cuts. Labour leader and Prime Minister Chris Hipkins defended the NZCTU's advertisements, stating that the union had published advertisements in previous elections. He also accused the National Party and its alleged surrogates including
8640-575: The use of mental health officers, and introducing legislation to make stalking a criminal offence. On 12 September, Labour campaigned on rolling out free cervical screening for women aged between 25 and 69 years. In response to National's campaign pledge to build a third medical school at the University of Waikato , Hipkins announced on 13 September that the Government would invest in training 335 extra doctors by 2027. On 17 September, Labour released its women's election manifesto and pledged to raise
8736-462: The vote following a term in government. In the opposition, the National Party lost 23 seats, giving them a total of 33, and ACT New Zealand went from one seat to ten. Te Pāti Māori won a Māori electorate and gained an additional list seat, returning to Parliament after a one-term absence, having lost all seats in the 2017 election. In the 2022 Tauranga by-election , National retained
8832-469: Was also suspended for 24 hours by the Speaker after leading a haka (" Ka Mate ") involving members of the public that caused parliamentary proceedings to be delayed for half an hour. In response, Speaker Gerry Brownlee cleared the House and Hana-Rawhiti was suspended for 24-hours. The video of the haka has been viewed more than 700 million times. The Ministry of Justice's regulatory impact statement says
8928-414: Was held on 14 October 2023 to determine the composition of the 54th Parliament of New Zealand . Voters elected 122 members to the unicameral New Zealand House of Representatives under the mixed-member proportional (MMP) voting system, with 71 members elected from single-member electorates and the remaining members elected from closed party lists . Of the 72 electorates, only 71 seats were filled, with
9024-481: Was held on 17 October 2020. The governor-general must issue writs for an election within seven days of the expiration or dissolution of the current parliament. Under section 17 of the Constitution Act 1986 , parliament expires three years "from the day fixed for the return of the writs issued for the last preceding general election of members of the House of Representatives, and no longer." The writs for
9120-558: Was released from the Electoral Commission on 12 May 2023. On 31 May Freedoms New Zealand and two of its component parties, the NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party and Vision New Zealand , challenged the Electoral Commission 's decision to allocate broadcasting funds to them collectively rather than as individual political parties. The Electoral Commission had decided to allocate broadcasting funds to them collectively on
9216-416: Was the third lowest it had ever been under MMP, and the lowest since 2002. The Green and ACT parties and Te Pāti Maori all increased their vote share, while New Zealand First gained enough votes to return to parliament after being ousted in the 2020 election. The election had a noticeably turbulent campaign , marked by increased political polarisation and heated disputes over indigenous rights and
#596403