KEY POINTS:
A New Zealand First bill that would have removed references to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi from legislation has been scuttled by a select committee.
"We consider it clear that there is very little public support for the changes proposed in this bill," the justice committee said. "We consider that its potential negative impact on relationships between Maori and the Crown, its possible unintended effect on settlements already reached, and its arbitrary impact on legislation are grave difficulties which significantly outweigh any good the legislation may seek to achieve."
The committee received 171 submissions from the public on the bill and 160 opposed it.
NZ First put in a minority report saying "false propaganda" had been circulated about the bill and its intentions had sometimes been deliberately misunderstood.
"Many submitters were of the impression that the bill aimed to remove the Treaty of Waitangi from legislation," NZ First said. "It does not. It relates only to the terms 'the principles of the Treaty' and not the Treaty itself."
NZ First introduced the bill because it believes the principles of the Treaty have never been defined and referring to them in legislation has harmed race relations. The committee recommended that the bill should not be passed, which means it will be voted down on its second reading.
The Maori Party said the committee's decision was recognition of "the power of the people".
- NZPA
