Treaty Principles Bill
What it actually does
ACT's bill to legislate its own definition of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi was a condition of the coalition agreement but was defeated at second reading 112-11 in April 2025, with only ACT voting in favour. Seymour has said ACT will keep campaigning on the issue.
Source: 1News · 2025-04
The Trump take
“112 to 11? That's a landslide the other way, very unfair, rigged probably. But 'equal rights for everybody' — I like the slogan. Could fit on a hat.”parody
Why it scored this way
Identity politics
Seeks to end what ACT calls race-based distinctions in law
+2
Loves it
On the same topics
Cut spending and foreign aid back to 2017 levels
ACT's fiscal plan would return non-welfare spending to 2017 levels (adjusted for inflation and growth), cut the annual operating allowance from $2.4b to $2b, reduce foreign aid to 2017 levels (excluding aid to Ukraine) and abolish 'demographic' ministries. ACT says net core Crown debt would be $12.4b lower than forecast; health, education, defence, police and children's services are exempt.
'One Law for All' constitutional changes and limits on tikanga in courts
ACT's 2026 Treaty policy would write parliamentary sovereignty, the rule of law and equality before the law into the Constitution Act, add a property right to the Bill of Rights Act, and restrict courts to using tikanga only where Parliament expressly allows it. Bills referring to the Treaty would require Cabinet to specify the interests and obligations involved; it replaces the Treaty Principles Bill and referendum from the previous campaign.
Disestablishment of the Māori Health Authority
A National 100-day plan commitment, the bill to disestablish Te Aka Whai Ora passed under urgency 68-54 in February 2024, with most of its functions and staff moving to Health New Zealand from 30 June 2024.