The Ākina Foundation's Submission on the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill

The Ākina Foundation has made a submission for the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill.

Ākina believes the bill should be abandoned, read the full submission below. The closing date for submissions lodged via Parliament’s website is 11.59pm Tuesday, 7 January 2025.

Who are you and what connects you to this Bill?

The Ākina Foundation is a social enterprise driven by our purpose – to increase the positive outcomes made by our clients and partners. Ākina is privileged to support, measure and uplift the impactful work making real change in our communities everyday.

Ākina means ‘To challenge, to encourage, or urge onwards’. It’s a powerful call to make change through bold action. As a charitable trust with the privilege of carrying a Māori name, Ākina is committed to contributing to a more equitable society, celebrating the unique role Te Ao Māori plays in Aotearoa New Zealand, and upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ākina acknowledges that we are not experts in this space, but we are invested in positive outcomes for Māori and in turn the community.

Why does Ākina oppose the Treaty Principles Bill?

Ākina opposes this Bill in its entirety, including the process and the content. Te Tiriti justice is in the text - not the 1975 Treaty Principles, or the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill.

Ākina is concerned about the division the Bill is creating and the damage that is already being done. From the Waitangi Tribunal report, we note that the “Crown’s process to develop the Bill has purposefully excluded any consultation with Māori, breaching the principle of partnership, the Crown’s good-faith obligations, and the Crown’s duty to actively protect Māori rights and interests.”

The claim that Māori have an unfair advantage over non-Māori based on their whakapapa, is not reflected in the social and economic indicators across health, education, housing and corrections - where Māori are disproportionately represented. Statistics show 49% of people living in social housing are Māori. Māori are disproportionately impacted by the unequal distribution of social determinants of health, including socioeconomic resources and experiences of racial discrimination (Harris et al., 2006a, 2006b, 2012; Robson, Cormack, & Cram, 2007).

Ākina believes the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill is short sighted on the negative impact it will create. In addition, there are many positive examples that have resulted when central and local government, and private sector organisations honor Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It’s important that Te Tiriti o Waitangi is put at the forefront of decision making to maintain positive momentum not just for Māori, but our wider communities as well.

What recommendations do you have for the Select Committee?

Ākina recommends the Government take the recommendations of the Waitangi Tribunal, that “the Treaty Principles Bill policy should be abandoned”.

Ākina stands in support of the dissent and concern about the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill and gives its tautoko to the most recent report from the Waitangi Tribunal that if this Bill is passed "it would be the worst, most comprehensive breach of the Treaty / Te Tiriti in modern times". Ākina believes that what is good for Māori, is good for everyone.

Honoring Te Tiriti o Waitangi has the potential to support the Government’s social investment goals. The Government should focus on working with Māori to deliver positive outcomes for the community - and then implementing them.