Te Tiriti Submissions: A Basic Template
Here's a simple template whānau
He Whakaaraara
Whānau! Your voice matters!
The voice of you, your tupuna, and your mokopuna matters!
By making a submission, you contribute to shaping the future of Aotearoa New Zealand and upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Instructions for Use:
Complete your pepeha: Fill in the bracketed spaces with your own information.
Personalize the submission: Feel free to adapt the language and add specific examples or concerns that are important to you.
Sign and send: Print out the submission, sign it, and send it to the Justice Select Committee. You can find their contact information on the Parliament website.
Spread the word: Encourage your whānau and friends to make their own submissions.
To: The Justice Select Committee
From: [Your Name/Your Organisation (if applicable)]
Date: [Date]
Subject: Submission on Te Tiriti Principles Bill
Kei te Tiamana. Nei rā te mihi.
Pepeha
[Ko [Your Iwi] tōku iwi
Ko [Your Hapū] tōku hapū
Ko [Your Marae] tōku marae
Ko [Your Family Name] tōku whānau
Ko [Your Name] ahau]
I am writing to express my concerns about the Te Tiriti Principles Bill.
[Write something personal. What you think. Remember, it can not be untrue, share irrelevant information, or Make up information or distort the truth ]
This bill is fundamentally flawed and should not proceed.
It Destroys the Principle of Partnership: The bill puts the Crown's power to govern first. It diminishes Māori rangatiratanga (self-determination).The bill destroys the principle of partnership, by making Kawanatanga more important. This undermines the foundational relationship between Māori and the Crown.
It Diminishes Māori Rights: It restricts Māori rights to those that existed in 1840 and those recognized in Treaty settlements, undermining tino rangatiratanga (self-determination).
It Ignores Systemic Ingrained Inequality: The bill's focus on "equality" fails to address the systemic inequalities and historical injustices experienced by Māori.
It Misrepresents Te Tiriti: The Bill attempts to redefine Te Tiriti of Waitangi by replacing established Treaty principles with new ones that don't accurately reflect Te Tiriti's articles.
It Unilaterally alters Te Tiriti: The Bill changes the meaning and legal effect of Te Tiriti without the consent of Māori as a Treaty partner.
It Ignores Māori perspectives: The Bill fails to recognize the right of Māori to have their tikanga (customs and values) protected and doesn't address the impacts of colonization.
It Creates uncertainty: It will lead to legal confusion and extensive litigation, contradicting its stated aim of providing clarity.
Its Development Lacked proper process: The Bill's development lacked meaningful consultation with Māori.
This Bill is harming our country.
It is already damaging the relationship between Māori and the Crown.
The Hikoi was our response to both the bill and the increasing racism against Māori that is appearing online and across our society.
I urge the Select Committee to stop this bill, and instead prioritise the existing principles of partnership, mutual respect, and to recognise existing Māori rights.
I urge recommend that the Select Committee:
Kill the Bill: Please do not support this bill and ensure it does not proceed.
Commence direct negotiations with Iwi: Initiate meaningful engagement with Iwi to develop a collaborative approach to upholding Te Tiriti.
Recognize and protect tino rangatiratanga: Acknowledge and protect Māori authority and self-determination.
Address all and anyTe Tiriti grievances: Acknowledge breaches of Te Tiriti and commit to addressing their ongoing impacts.
Nāku noa, nā
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information (optional)]