by Ann Arnold

The original Treaty of Waitangi February 1840 was written in English and translated exactly word for word into Maori (often called the Littlewood version) and was signed at Waitangi. It consisted of 3 Articles. There were no principles in the original document. The only difference between the Maori and English versions were the date and the word Maori, inserted to make sure it was understood Maori were citizens too. The original version brought all peoples of New Zealand under the sovereignty of Queen Victoria and was what Maori and Pakeha wanted, and signed on that auspicious day 6 February 1840.
These signatories of the Treaty ceded sovereignty to the Crown which basically meant: One people, one flag, one law for all, equal under the British Crown. End of story. In 1860 at the Kohimarama conference 112 Maori chiefs met and declared they never wanted to go back to the days prior to the Treaty signing 20 years before.
This Te Tiriti (Treaty) was first highjacked by a false version known as the Freeman version (Freeman being the author) and included forestry and fisheries which was never mentioned in the original. Falsehoods have been altered and added ever since over many decades.
I can only applaud David Seymour in his efforts to bring about a semblance of order and clarity to the shambolic deception and propaganda that the Waitangi Treaty has become over the past 180 years at the hands of ignorant politicians, radical Maori, elite Pakeha and woke ignorant people, led by the mainstream media who know nothing of the facts of New Zealand history. Such people go along with every wind of doctrine because its trendy and everybody else is doing it. They are listening to oral emotional rhetoric with no basis or facts behind it. It is a tragedy that is destroying this country. Aotearoa, a name for the whole country is another recent falsity.
In addition, if researched honestly, 92% of land was sold by Maori (not stolen) at prices agreed upon under British law. The setting up of the Waitangi Tribunal 1975 reinterpreted the original Treaty and seems intent on bankrupting the country. It was to have been dissolved years ago but never was.
Racism is treating someone differently based on their race and as Paul Goldsmith once said “There is nothing Maori don’t have that the rest of us have.”
As of 15 December 2023, there were 33 MPs of varying Maori ancestry (27%) across all 6 parties in Parliament yet, they make up only 17% of the population. Europeans 70%. Asian 17% … disproportionate wouldn’t you think? For this reason, Maori seats need to be disbanded so we get back to being one people. I could go on and on.
The hikoi this week is just another example of the nonsense (read no sense) that people have got caught up in trying to defend What? As Sean Plunket asked Buddy Mikaere yesterday on a private media outlet called The Platform ‘Where does this Bill attack Maori? ‘What provision in the Bill is taking away Maori rights?’
The people siding with Maori without a thought in their head, need to ask themselves that same question. For Maori the answer is simple: we don’t want to be equal. We don’t want the handouts to stop. We are supporting our own Takeover of NZ.
Maybe, just maybe, the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill will be a start to head us back in the right direction. I hope so and support it wholeheartedly.
We’d love to hear from other readers who would like to share their submissions. —Eds
Here is my submission:
Submission on Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill
Committee: Justice Committee
I wish to make the following comments
I will speak frankly because the issue I am writing to you about is too important to pussyfoot around.
I am really disappointed in how much negative traction appears to have been gathering on this issue.
Our country is unravelling under the pressure of activists whose agenda is to create division in our society & ensure rights & responsibilities are assigned depending on race & ancestry. It is not sustainable.
We need clarity & common understanding of what the Treaty Principles are to move forward as a cohesive country. This is not about disrespecting Māori. It is about respecting everyone who calls New Zealand home.
Polling shows only 25% of New Zealanders oppose the Treaty Principles Bill.
We should not be listening to a minority bunch of radicals who want to divide us! New Zealand needs you to show some courage & leadership.
I fail to understand why we dismiss the desperate wish many New Zealanders have to find an equilibrium in our race relations?
What is wrong with clarifying the New Zealand Government is sovereign? And ewi and hapū have rights pertaining to the Treaty but those are relevant within the parameters of Treaty settlements? I cannot fathom what anyone could possibly find wrong with stating in law everyone is equal & has the same human rights.
Listen to those of us who will submit on this Bill. It is disrespectful for you have predetermined you will vote the Bill down before even hearing what we have to say.
I feel we have been disrespected by suggesting & ignoring our submissions despite the select committee consultation. In addition I feel we have been taken for fools by suggesting negative connotations on the Bill when the very first principle in it begins with: “The Executive Government of New Zealand has full power to govern…” Anyone who disagrees with this should simply resign to pasture…
I wish to make the following recommendations
My submission is in support of the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill.
I believe every New Zealander deserves the same fundamental respect & dignity ~ including equal political rights.
I believe the text of Te Tiriti should honoured, including Article 3, which promised the same rights & duties for all New Zealanders.
The “partnership” interpretation of the Treaty advanced by the Waitangi Tribunal & the courts has led to divisive policies including co-governance & public services targeted on race, not need.
It is clear the interpretation of the Treaty principles has sweeping implications for the rights of all New Zealanders, & I believe it is time for New Zealanders to finally define the principles in law using a democratic process.
I support the Bill’s proposed principles, & I believe New Zealanders should have the chance to vote on these principles at a referendum.
Yours sincerely,
Kenn Butler
Hello Kenn, I read your submission with interest but it seems you missed the import of: “The Executive Government of New Zealand has full power to govern…”. The statement is a falsehood. It has no full power. It is a delegated power at the whim of the Monarch and of the Governor General. Therefore it is not a full power. In order for that statement to be true, New Zealand would have to be a Republic. I have seen no official statement of that at all. My knowledge is that we are in a constitutional Monarchy with (currently) King Charles as the Monarch who delegates to the Governor General and that all legislation has to be given the required Royal Assent by the Governor General in order that it be passed into Law. Therefore, the Executive Government of New Zealand has delegated power to govern at the sufferance of the Monarch who is represented by the Governor General. As to a referendum, I would not welcome such action until any voter in such has studied the facts of the matter which would consist of reading the definitions of Sovereignty, Kawanatanga, Tino Rangatiratanga, and read He Whakaputanga, Ti Tiriti, The Littlewood document, and the 1852 Constitution. At a bare minimum!
One is required, by virtue of support/not supporting the bill, to include the words clearly “I support the bill as it is written, or as proposed amended below” in some firm.
Passive assent (or objection) cannot form a submission that will bd taken seriously.
I do not support the bill as it is written. The framers need to re-consider.
The first “principle” is dodgy in that it reads as an exclusive right of the representatives of the people, in Wellington, to govern. It excludes the chiefs of the Confederation of the United Tribes of New Zealand their right to go to the Monarch (directly) to get the Government disbanded. The Government itself is appointed by the Monarch’s representative, the Governor General, who in turn commands at the pleasure of the Monarch. As I read it,the Bill cuts out the Governor General and the Monarch. This is not constitutional and is an attempted theft of sovereignty unto itself. Sovereignty is in the hands of the Monarch and the United Tribes. Not Parliament or any part of Parliament. The framers of this law should know better and in so doing might be operating outside the rule of law.
I have yet to side check the other “principles”.