King Charles asked to intervene in Treaty dispute by Iwi Chairs Forum

King Charles shares traditional Māori hongi with Mere Takoko, chief executive of Pacific Whale Fund, at St James Palace, London.

• The Iwi Chairs Forum has appealed to King Charles to uphold the Crown’s honour regarding the Treaty of Waitangi.
• The forum claims the National-led government’s actions are an “attack” on the Treaty, citing concerns about Māori wards and resource management changes.
• The letter, signed by over 500 people, followed a nationwide hīkoi with more than 43,000 participants.

The Iwi Chairs Forum has written to King Charles III, who is both king of New Zealand and Commonwealth countries including the UK, for help upholding the honour of the second Treaty of Waitangi party, the Crown.

In its letter, the forum, which represents 80 iwi, said there had been an “attack” on the Treaty by the New Zealand National-led coalition Government.

It asked the King “to ensure that the Government does not diminish the Crown’s honour” through its actions.

“Please remind them to respect their responsibility to act as an honourable partner on your behalf,” the letter said.

The hīkoi over the Harbour bridge was a specataular sight as thousands took the opportunity to march. Photo / Michael Craig

The group’s letter, first published in the Guardian, was sent after the nationwide hīkoi protesting the Treaty Principles Bill, which culminated in more than 43,000 people marching on Parliament.

The letter was signed by more than 500 people, with signatures of rangatira from “whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori forum”.

The forum letter said it was concerned about the withdrawal of Māori wards on local bodies, changes to resource management rules and less support for te reo Māori. It asked King Charles “to ensure that the Government does not diminish the Crown’s honour” through its actions.

“Please remind them to respect their responsibility to act as an honourable partner on your behalf,” the letter read.

“We would welcome an opportunity to have regular contact with you or your office to build a closer relationship and realise the Tiriti ‘promise of two peoples to take the best possible care of each other’.

“We are united in our grave concerns about what these actions will do to our whānau.”