Treaty Principles Bill draws record submissions, website struggles

Public submissions on the Treaty Principles Bill close on Tuesday night, despite complaints people have had trouble with the website accepting their submissions. Photo / RNZ, Angus Dreaver

By Denise Garland of RNZ

An unprecedented number of submissions were made to Parliament’s website on Monday, as the deadline to submit views on the Treaty Principles Bill draws close.

Today, January 7, is the final day to submit on the Bill, with the opportunity for members of the public to have their say closing at 11.59pm.

The legislation - which proposes to rewrite the Treaty principles as they are defined by the courts - has attracted widespread opposition and criticism.

Tens of thousands of people marched against the legislation when it passed its first reading in Parliament, at the end of last year.

RNZ has heard from people who have encountered problems while trying to send through their submissions on Monday night and this morning.

Some received an error message, while others were unable to reach the final page to submit it at all.

The Clerk of the House of Representatives, David Wilson, said the website submission portal is open and working correctly, but he did acknowledge that some people had experienced difficulties.

“Yesterday, some submitters may have encountered an error message or other issue while making a submission due to an unprecedented number of submissions made in a single day,” Wilson said.

“If users do encounter an error message or other issue, please wait and try again in a few minutes.”

Wilson said staff would be able to assist with any repeated issues on Wednesday, when the Office of the Clerk reopened, and the deadline for submissions made via the website remains 11.59pm on Tuesday.

He could not provide any details about the number of submissions it had received, with that information remaining confidential until they have been presented to the committee.

The office has not yet responded to RNZ’s questions about what happens to the submissions of those who have been unable to have their say due to repeated issues with the website portal on Monday and Tuesday, considering staff would not be available to help until submissions had closed.

- RNZ

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