Proposal to change Treaty references
The Bill would change how five laws refer to the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles.
References to Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi (Strength of Legislative Obligations) Amendment Bill
What's changing
- Six Treaty-related references in specified laws would be changed to a single “take into account” standard.
- The changes would cover mental health, water services, criminal case reviews, and education.
- The Bill would replace existing wording about Treaty principles in those provisions.
Who's affected
The organisations and people covered by the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, water services, criminal case review, and education laws could be affected.
When
This is a proposal just introduced to Parliament, so it is not law and has no start date yet.
Background
The government says the Bill would implement part of the National–New Zealand First coalition agreement by reviewing Treaty references in legislation. It says clearer wording would reduce uncertainty and support better compliance.