ACT Leader David Seymour is welcoming the announcement of a review of the Waitangi Tribunal to refocus the scope, purpose, and nature of its inquiries.

“ACT supports the completion of full and final historic Treaty settlements as a pragmatic way to resolve past injustices, but the Waitangi Tribunal has gone well beyond its brief and has become increasingly activist.

“It’s tried to become a source of authority in its own right and appears to regard itself as a parallel government that can intervene in the democratically elected Government’s policymaking process – like during the Treaty Principles Bill debate.

“It’s time to put the Tribunal in its place.

“We also need to define in law what the Treaty principles mean so that the Treaty is interpreted and applied in a manner that reflects what it actually says: all New Zealanders have the same rights and duties.

"The Tribunal's recent conduct is one reason why we need the Treaty Principles Bill. While some politicians weren’t ready for that debate, ACT will continue pushing for all New Zealanders to be equal before the law, not a partnership between races.”

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