Editorial One
Issue 362 February 1, 2017
Winston Peters –
The Treaty of Waitangi is an important historical document.
It gave all New Zealand citizens rights and protection as British subjects and contained a shared vision of the peoples of New Zealand living in harmony.
Over the past few decades, the status of the Treaty has changed as a result of political interference, Maori radicalism and judicial activism.
Instead of binding us as equal citizens under one rule of law for all, the Treaty now divides, polarises and isolates us.
Three main issues
Three fundamental issues are at the core of Treaty discontent: 1. Lack of progress in expeditiously addressing historical grievances 2. Lack of clarity as to the ‘contemporary status of the Treaty’ and 3. The pervasive influence of a new ethos based on the corrosive influence of the so-called ‘Principles of the Treaty’ which has imbued the public service and beyond with counterproductive political correctness.
The meandering progress of the settlements process and the insertion of ‘Treaty Principles’ into legislation has done little for a majority of Maori.
In fact, it has had the more insidious impact of diverting attention and resources away from the real path to prosperity and social progress for Maori – sound education, well paid employment, adequate health and improved housing.
Grievance mentality
In their place, a grievance mentality has permeated the thinking of many Maori and even worse it has facilitated the development of a Treaty ‘gravy train’ which sees large amounts of money going to lawyers, consultants and Treaty travellers at the expense of those in genuine need.
Finally, the permissive impact of the Treaty is creating an unhealthy and divisive ethos within the public service and beyond.
This has occurred as policy and law-makers have tried to reconcile Maori culture with the business of government through the foolhardy insertion of the ‘principles of the Treaty’ into legislation and the extension of this into government policy and policy-making processes.
Positive Steps
New Zealand First will (a) remove all references to the ‘principles of the Treaty’ and associated terms from all legislation and regulations where they exist, including the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975, (the Act), as they remain undefined, ambiguous and are an unstable footing upon which to base claims under the Treaty and (b) replace the Waitangi Tribunal with a Waitangi Commission, refocusing its role according to the Act as a ‘Commission of Inquiry’.
For New Zealand First, the intention of this policy is to ensure that the Treaty becomes the instrument to bind us that our forefathers had intended it to be.
Winston Peters is leader of New Zealand First Party. The above Opinion Piece, written by him, appeared in our September 15, 2005 issue and is relevant even today. This Leader is a fitting inclusion to commemorate Waitangi Day on February 6, 2017. Another article on the Treaty, written by Priyanca Radhakrishnan, appears under Homelink in this issue.
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