Key Takeaways:
- ACT leader David Seymour is committed to reigniting the Treaty principles debate in the lead-up to the 2026 election campaign
- The proposed Treaty Principles Bill, which was voted down in April, aimed to replace the existing understanding of the Treaty’s principles with three new principles: the government’s right to govern, equal rights before the law, and exceptions set out in Treaty settlements
- Seymour believes that the debate on Treaty principles is far from over and that ACT will continue to campaign on the issue of equality for all New Zealanders
- The party is still developing its policy on the issue, but Seymour is confident that it will be a key part of their election campaign
- Despite internal differences with coalition partners, Seymour is playing down disputes and focusing on keeping the opposition parties out of power
Introduction to the Treaty Principles Debate
The Treaty principles debate has been a contentious issue in New Zealand politics, with ACT leader David Seymour at the forefront of the discussion. In a recent interview with RNZ, Seymour reflected on the past year and looked ahead to the 2026 election campaign, reiterating his commitment to the idea of equality for all New Zealanders. The Treaty Principles Bill, which was championed by ACT, was voted down at its second reading in April, but Seymour remains confident that the issue will not go away. He believes that the seeds of a movement for equal rights have been planted, and that it is only a matter of time before the debate is reignited.
The Proposed Treaty Principles Bill
The proposed Treaty Principles Bill aimed to replace the existing understanding of the Treaty’s principles with three new principles: the government’s right to govern, equal rights before the law, and exceptions set out in Treaty settlements. The bill was met with significant public outcry, with the largest hīkoi to ever reach Parliament’s grounds taking place in protest. Despite the bill being voted down, Seymour remains committed to the idea and believes that it is essential for New Zealand’s future. He argues that the current understanding of the Treaty’s principles is flawed and that a new approach is needed to ensure equality for all New Zealanders.
ACT’s Commitment to Equality
Seymour’s commitment to equality is unwavering, and he believes that it is essential for New Zealand’s future. He argues that the concept of universal humanity trumps any superficial differences in relation to race or culture, and that nobody can make these simple facts go away. ACT will continue to campaign on the issue of equality, with Seymour stating that the party will be campaigning on the idea that all New Zealanders, regardless of their background, are human beings with hopes and dreams and equal rights in this country. The exact shape of the policy is still being developed, but Seymour is confident that it will be a key part of their election campaign.
Internal Differences and Coalition Dynamics
Despite internal differences with coalition partners, Seymour is playing down disputes and focusing on keeping the opposition parties out of power. The Treaty principles debate resulted in some tense exchanges between the coalition parties, and more recently, there have been disagreements over the Regulatory Standards Act. However, Seymour is advising against over-egging the parties’ differences and is instead focusing on the government’s achievements. He notes that the government has passed more legislation in the first two years than any other MMP-era parliament, despite claims of dysfunction.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Election
As the 2026 election campaign approaches, Seymour is confident that ACT will remain a key player in New Zealand politics. He has every intention of staying on as party leader and serving out another term, citing his growth and development as a leader. Seymour believes that the party has absorbed the pressure of being in government and is ready to go again. With a focus on keeping the opposition parties out of power, ACT will continue to campaign on key issues, including the Treaty principles debate. Despite the challenges ahead, Seymour remains optimistic about the party’s prospects and is committed to fighting for the principles of equality and fairness that he believes are essential for New Zealand’s future.