Te Arawhiti officials have pointed out that the 'original intent' of Parliament with respect to the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act bears little relationship to the strict restrictions on title the government is now proposing.

I have a fairly large kuaka tattoo, so my loyalties for bird of the year will never be conflicted (unless somehow one year the nominees include Sully from Monsters Inc or the video tape icon from Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2). Engari, vote kuaka when #BOTY2024 votes open next week.

Act's bid to redefine the Treaty principles 'would have enormous constitutional implications'. thespinoff.co.nz/atea/02-09-202…

According to the Waitangi Tribunal, even if the bill doesn’t proceed past select committee stage, the damage will be done. thespinoff.co.nz/atea/03-09-202…

Here is part two of my explainer on Ngā Mātāpono, the Waitangi Tribunal’s report on the Treaty Principles Bill. This one is about the Bill’s likely impacts, and what the Tribunal said about the government’s stated rationale for why the Bill is needed. thespinoff.co.nz/atea/03-09-202…

The failures are many and their consequences far-reaching, says the Waitangi Tribunal. thespinoff.co.nz/atea/04-09-202…

Here is the final part of my three-part explainer on Ngā Mātāpono, the Waitangi Tribinal report on the Treaty Principles Bill. This one is about the specific ways the Bill will breach Te Tiriti (and in some ways already has) and the damage that will cause. thespinoff.co.nz/atea/04-09-202…

More than 400 Christian leaders - including senior leaders of the Catholic, Anglican, and Methodist denominations in Aotearoa - have signed an open letter calling on MPs to vote down the Treaty Principles Bill. rnz.co.nz/news/political…

The irony of the PM insisting that he has to go ahead with the pointless Treaty Principles Bill because "we have to honour our coalition commitments", when the Bill only exists to try weasel out of honouring a commitment.

Oh the irony.