ACT vows to abolish Waitangi Tribunal when historical claims done
The ACT party in New Zealand has proposed abolishing the Waitangi Tribunal once all historical Treaty claims are settled, while also stripping it of its power to review contemporary government policies. The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from the Labour party, which argues it undermines race relations.
Why it matters
This policy proposal represents a significant shift in New Zealand's approach to indigenous rights and the legal framework governing the Treaty of Waitangi.
<p>ACT is promising to strip the Waitangi Tribunal of its power to examine current government policies, if elected, and to shut it down altogether once it has finished hearing the last historical Treaty claims.</p> <p>The coalition party's proposed policy would confine the tribunal to historical claims lodged before the existing September 1, 2008 statutory cut-off, ending its role in urgent and kaupapa inquiries into contemporary conduct by the Crown.</p> <p>Party leader David Seymour said nearly "two centuries since the signing of the Treaty, it is time to complete the historical settlements and move New Zealand forward".</p> <p>"ACT supports completing full and final historical Treaty settlements as a pragmatic way to resolve past injustices, " he said.</p> <p>"This includes where the Crown confiscated land or otherwise breached property rights.
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