We need to lift Pakeha understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi

Gareth MorganPolitics

As part of our conversation on the Future of the Treaty of Waitangi, Gareth is visiting Ratana Church today. As he sets out in the interview with Mark Sainsbury, he will be calling on Pakeha to live up to the promises made in the Treaty 175 years ago.

Many New Zealanders think that the Treaty process is solely about breaches, claims and settlements – returning property to iwi as compensation. As a result, there is a belief that the Treaty conversation will end when the claims process is over. This is clearly false – the Treaty covers much more than just that. The Treaty is a sharing relationship that requires all New Zealanders to acknowledge Maori as a unique and distinctive group within our society.
There has been talk of developing a formal written constitution for Aotearoa New Zealand. This process should be undertaken with the full understanding and involvement of the New Zealand public. That conversation has to start from the promises made in the Treaty – which challenges us to listen to and respect the Maori voice, while protecting the equal rights of citizenship of all New Zealanders.
We need to lift Pakeha understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi was last modified: December 15th, 2015 by Gareth Morgan
About the Author

Gareth Morgan

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Gareth Morgan is a New Zealand economist and commentator on public policy who in previous lives has been in business as an economic consultant, funds manager, and professional company director. He is also a motorcycle adventurer and philanthropist. Gareth and his wife Joanne have a charitable foundation, the Morgan Foundation, which has three main stands of philanthropic endeavour – public interest research, conservation and social investment.