New Zealand First wants references to the Treaty of Waitangi removed from proposed changes to the Resource Management Act, leader Winston Peters says.
Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
Speaking to the Orewa Rotary Club tonight, Mr Peters said the government bill progressing through Parliament will take the country down the track of separatism.
He singled out a clause in the bill which would require councils to discuss and agree with local iwi how iwi can participate in policy creation, including freshwater management plans.
Mr Peters said New Zealand First would move amendments to remove that clause, and any references to Treaty principles, from the final legislation.
His remarks echoed a speech former National Party leader Don Brash gave at Orewa in 2004, calling for an end to what Dr Brash called special privileges for Maori.