The Mistranslation of Te Tiriti in the Treaty Principles Bill w/ University of Auckland’s Margaret Mutu: 11 July, 2024

The ACT party is introducing a bill which, in their words, will “ensure our nation’s founding document delivers on its promise of equal rights for all New Zealanders.” They claim they are only clarifying the Treaty and not rewriting it. 

However, academics are saying their interpretation distorts the language and meaning of the text and the bill could significantly alter the practical application of Te Tiriti.

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Margaret Mutu from the University of Auckland about the intentional mistranslation of Te Tiriti in this bill and why it is so harmful.

They started by asking why the Treaty Principles Bill is “deeply misleading.”