Jackson on Treaty Principles, Pharmac, and the Coalition

Mata with Mihingarangi Forbes

Former Minister for Māori Development Willie Jackson shares his views on the upcoming Treaty Principles Bill and Seymour's Pharmac Treaty directive. Then we're joined by panelists Hinurewa Te Hau and Dr. Lara Greaves.

Labour Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson says the government is introducing the Treaty Principles Bill "by stealth."

Opposition to the ACT Party's proposed bill continues to grow, with former National Minister Hekia Parata describing it as a misuse of the select committee and backing calls to boycott the process.

She said it should be left as "an echo chamber of that small, easily identified crowd."

The criticism came after a group of mātanga reo Māori language experts criticised the bill for mistranslating the text of Te Tiriti.

A draft of the bill is expected to be released to the public this year.

Jackson said Parata's criticism of the bill was "meaningful," considering her background.

"You're not talking about, you know, some two-bit MP; you're talking about one of the star performers for National. Really proud to see her come out like that," he told Mata host Mihingarangi Forbes.

Jackson said he had heard other prominent Māori calling the bill an "unspeakable violation" and "the most flagrant breach of the Treaty in modern times."

"Chris Finlayson, Hekia's former colleague, is just furious… Andrew Kibblewhite, secretary of justice, he said there's no support for it in legislation, judicial interpretation, and expert opinion… Jim Bolger came out against it. Doug Graham came out against it. Professor Andrew Geddis came out against it—he's Pākehā, you know? We're not just talking Māori here calling it totally reckless.

"But this [ACT leader David] Seymour, no, he knows more than everyone."

Jackson said even if National did not support it, even letting it get to select committee was causing "so much damage."

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has previously ruled out his party supporting the bill beyond select committee.

Jackson said recent changes to Pharmac's directive made it seem as if the bill had been "introduced anyway."…

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details