On Monday at Waitangi, the ACT caucus stood up to defend a basic value: that every child growing up in New Zealand deserves the same respect and dignity, including equality before the law.

This belief is a core principle – or kaupapa – for ACT. It’s a belief shared by most New Zealanders, including Māori. And it’s a principle that has the backing of our nation’s founding document, with Article 3 of Te Tiriti promising the same rights and duties for all New Zealanders.

Our belief in unity and equal rights underpins ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill. This law will unwind the divisive modern ‘partnership’ interpretation of the Treaty and restore its meaning to what was actually written and signed in 1840.

Today ACT is launching a campaign to give Kiwis the facts on the Treaty Principles Bill.

Time and time again, the opposition have claimed we are trying to re-write, or even abolish, the Treaty. This is false, but it is clear we cannot rely on the media to correct the disinformation.

That’s why we’ve set up an information hub at treaty.nz for New Zealanders to get the facts.

In short, the Bill defines the Treaty principles – which New Zealanders have never had a say on – to align with the three Articles of Te Tiriti. This means the courts and bureaucracy can no longer twist the Treaty to justify divisive co-governance, special positions, and separate public services.

I want to thank you for the support you’ve given us so far in the campaign against co-governance and division. But with ACT’s coalition agreement advancing the Treaty Principles Bill to Parliament, the real work begins now.

I need you to do three things:

* Visit www.treaty.nz
* Sign up to support the campaign
* Share this post with friends and family

I believe New Zealanders can be trusted with difficult debates. Ultimately it’s the public that will persuade Parliament to advance the Treaty Principles Bill to a referendum, so I’m asking for your help to spread the word.

Thank you,

David Seymour ACT Leader | MP for Epsom