Entreaties of Waitangi
New Zealand Listener|February 10-16 2024
In its short time in office, the government has set the scene for a fiery commemoration of New Zealand's national day. 
DANYL MCLAUCHLAN
Entreaties of Waitangi

In December, 12 people were arrested after members of the protest group Te Waka Houroa defaced the English version of the Treaty of Waitangi displayed at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. The group argues that the English-language version of the document, signed between Mäori chiefs and a representative of the British crown in 1840, has no legal validity, a view supported by many historians and legal academics.

The protest came two weeks after a series of treaty-based policy announcements in the coalition agreement for the newly formed National-Act-New Zealand First government. Act will draft a bill calling for a binding public referendum reinterpreting the treaty and its principles, and New Zealand First has secured a review of all legislation - exempting treaty settlements - referring to the principles of the treaty.

This review will replace any references to these principles "with specific words relating to the relevance and application of the treaty, or repeal the references".

The government will also stop all work on "He Puapua", the Ministry of Māori Development's report on steps towards self-determination. It will legislate English as an official language and ensure that government departments are primarily identified by their English names.

Labour MP Willie Jackson warned media that Māori would "go to war" over the proposed policies, and Te Pati Māori organised a series of nationwide protests described by co-leader Rawiri Waititi as "an activation".

SAY WHAT YOU LIKE

Does New Zealand have the most ambiguous constitutional document in the world? In 1972, the historian Ruth Ross argued that due to the contradictory and chaotic nature of the treaty and its signing, the document had come to say "whatever we want it to say".

Esta historia es de la edición February 10-16 2024 de New Zealand Listener.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición February 10-16 2024 de New Zealand Listener.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE NEW ZEALAND LISTENERVer todo
First-world problem
New Zealand Listener

First-world problem

Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.

time-read
3 minutos  |
September 9, 2024
Applying intelligence to AI
New Zealand Listener

Applying intelligence to AI

I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.

time-read
2 minutos  |
September 9, 2024
Nazism rears its head
New Zealand Listener

Nazism rears its head

Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.

time-read
2 minutos  |
September 9, 2024
Staying ahead of the game
New Zealand Listener

Staying ahead of the game

Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?

time-read
4 minutos  |
September 9, 2024
Grasping the nettle
New Zealand Listener

Grasping the nettle

Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.

time-read
3 minutos  |
September 9, 2024
Hangry? Eat breakfast
New Zealand Listener

Hangry? Eat breakfast

People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.

time-read
3 minutos  |
September 9, 2024
Chemical reaction
New Zealand Listener

Chemical reaction

Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.

time-read
4 minutos  |
September 9, 2024
Me and my guitar
New Zealand Listener

Me and my guitar

Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.

time-read
2 minutos  |
September 9, 2024
Time is on my side
New Zealand Listener

Time is on my side

Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?

time-read
7 minutos  |
September 9, 2024
The kids are not alright
New Zealand Listener

The kids are not alright

Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.

time-read
4 minutos  |
September 9, 2024