The bill brings to life ACT Party policy, to enshrine what the Treaty means into law. Photo: RNZ / Quin Tauetau
The government intends to introduce the Treaty Principles Bill this Thursday - earlier than expected.
The bill was not set to be introduced until later this month, on 18 November, but a memo sent to lawyers by the Waitangi Tribunal and seen by RNZ, said the Crown had indicated it will be put before the House on 7 November.
The office for the acting leader of the house, Simeon Brown, has confirmed to RNZ the bill will be introduced on Thursday.
In response to the earlier-than-anticipated introduction, the Waitangi Tribunal has released its second interim report into the bill.
The 145-page report said if the bill were to be enacted, it would be the "worst, most comprehensive breach of the Treaty/te Tiriti in modern times".
It went as far as to suggest the bill could mean the end of the Treaty itself, if it was not repealed.
"Underlying the significant change across all statutory regimes that affect Māori, the Bill would end the Treaty/te Tiriti partnership and any formal relationship between the Crown and Māori.
"At present, the progressing of the Bill is having serious impacts on the relationship but the Bill if enacted would kill that relationship. This is deliberate," the report said.
David Seymour Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Associate justice minister David Seymour, who is responsible for the bill, said he had only received a copy of the Waitangi Tribunal's report on Tuesday evening, and so could not comment on its contents yet.
However, he accused the Tribunal of breaking the government's trust.
"It demands information from the government, such as the date the Treaty Principles Bill is to be introduced to Parliament, but the information becomes public within hours of them knowing. Respect should go both ways," he said.
"The Treaty Principles Bill provides an opportunity for New Zealanders - rather than the courts and the Waitangi Tribunal - to have a say on what the Treaty means. Did the Treaty give different rights to different groups, or does every citizen have equal rights? I believe all New Zealanders deserve to have a say on that question."
The introduction of the bill is part of ACT's coalition agreement with National. However, National and New Zealand First have said they will not support it beyond its first reading.
The bill's introduction does not mean it will have its first reading on the same day. The first reading can occur no sooner than the third sitting day after its introduction.
A nine-day hīkoi is due to start next Monday, with the view of arriving at Parliament on 19 November - the day after the date the bill was originally set to be introduced.
In a post on Instagram, organisers of the hīkoi said it would continue as planned.
"This timing change does not matter, our kaupapa could never be, and will not be overshadowed. In fact, this just gives us more kaha to get on our whenua and march for our mokopuna," Eru Kapa-Kingi said.