MPs, do you respect the rule of law?

Submitting to the Justice Select Committee (again!)

Another day, another submission. This time it was the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Amendment Bill. I was feeling like the oral submission was an exercise in futility as this government bulldozers on without taking heed of evidence, of public views, of Māori rights, of their own rules of government. Yet it was a chance to engage, and I wanted to particularly speak to National MPs as I might be naïve, but I don’t think they all went into parliament with a determination to support all of these Te Tiriti breaches. Yet they are obviously supporting them now, as they fall in line with their leadership and are driven by their coalition partners.

So, I decided to speak to the Justice Select Committee – here’s some of what I said (if you’d prefer to view/listen you can do so using this link).

I’m Pākehā from rural Canterbury, I learnt about Te Tiriti and NZ history by chance at uni. It was at the time of the Ngāi Tahu settlement, and learning about Te Tiriti helped me make sense of what was happening around me. That was 30 years ago and over those years I’ve worked with thousands of people across the political spectrum to build understanding of Te Tiriti.  

When people do that learning they see the promise that Te Tiriti holds for us of a cohesive and flourishing Aotearoa. Tauiwi also understand what a generous and inclusive agreement it is for us. They value the progress that we have made as a nation over the last 40 years in rebuilding relationships while recognising there is still so much to do. They want to see Te Tiriti honouring change continue for the good of us all.

And here we are, with yet another piece of legislation that will take us backwards.

Twenty years ago, we walked over the harbour bridge – and it’s happening again. Some of you will remember the divisive misinformation campaign of that time. It was an opportunity to assure New Zealanders we have nothing to fear and a lot to gain from Māori interests being upheld. Yet, Labour failed the country and particularly harmed Māori by its reactionary response in the Foreshore and Seabed Act.

 

 

Again, we’re seeing failure by this government with this bill, which breaches common law – as it extinguishes Māori rights at common law without full, free and informed consent. This Bill which undermines the role of the judiciary, and which so clearly breaches of your Te Tiriti obligations.

In our workshops, because there’s often an assumption that we are left-leaning Greenies (not that there’s anything wrong with that!), we are clear to point out that there have been important efforts towards Te Tiriti honouring change by National governments. And that the action taken often comes down to leadership and values.
  

So, I’d ask, particularly those of you who are National MPs, to reflect on the values that bring you to your roles.
Are you here to serve the country?
Do you respect the rule of law?
Do you believe in access to justice?
Do you believe in honouring commitments?
Do you believe in maintaining the integrity of government through honouring our constitutional arrangements?
Do you believe in a fair, harmonious and equitable Aotearoa?
Do you believe in respectful relationships?

Because this bill is the antithesis of all these things.
 

In this process you are going against your own rules, your own guidelines for good government – these are basic rules for groups whose rights are affected. 

This attack is one of so many, which are relentless and are ripping the country apart. The cost of your power is to undermine the foundations of this country. Restoring from this destruction you are enacting will take generations. This will be your legacy – one of harm to Māori, harm to relationships, harm to tāiao, harm to our future.

The people we work with every day from all walks of life want a flourishing and equitable Te Tiriti honouring country. So, stop this bill and your other actions to undermine Te Tiriti, attack Māori and harm us all. Instead, act for both the present and future generations and in alignment with the vision of Te Tiriti for enduring peaceful relationships of mutual benefit.