KEY POINTS:
United Future leader Peter Dunne says he will draft new legislation after learning his bill that proposed renaming Waitangi Day as New Zealand Day was being stopped in its tracks.
A parliamentary committee has examined Mr Dunne's New Zealand Day Bill and said it should not proceed.
The bill proposes renaming Waitangi Day and creating a new public holiday to be observed on the Monday of the week in which February 6 occurs.
It also proposes repealing the Waitangi Day Act 1976, which would remove any separate celebration of Waitangi Day.
Parliament's justice and electoral select committee received 22 submissions on the bill, most of which opposed it.
Many submitters felt renaming Waitangi Day would be a backward step, and argued that it was a national day that celebrated the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, the founding document of New Zealand.
"Submitters suggested that renaming Waitangi Day would diminish the significance of the Treaty and that this would be particularly harmful to Maori."
But the committee noted there was widespread support, from opponents and supporters of the bill for the creation of an extra public holiday.
The select committee said it considered renaming Waitangi Day as New Zealand Day could foster social disharmony in New Zealand.
"We recognise the historical, cultural and social importance of Waitangi Day and the significance of its celebration on February 6."
Mr Dunne said he would draft another piece of legislation which would set up a new public holiday for New Zealand Day.
- NZPA
