Willie Jackson is right. Racist Treaty-bashing from the Coalition Government must be put to a stop

OPINION: Labour MP Willie Jackson is right to challenge the politics of Treaty-bashing from the Coalition Government. Māori rights should never become a convenient target for politicians seeking applause, and racist resentment deserves to be confronted wherever it enters the debate over this country’s future.

The Government’s announced programme ensuring Treaty references are consistent covers 19 laws. It proposes repealing seven Treaty references, making two more specific and setting obligations across ten Acts at no higher than “take into account”.

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On Facebook, Jackson lashed out at the three men running the Beehive’s clown show, accusing the Government of “ramming” through legislation to weaken or remove Treaty references from existing laws.

This Government ramming it through under urgency in the final week in power,” Jackson said.

Image: Paul Goldsmith says the Treaty changes will bring clarity, but the Waitangi Tribunal says Māori were sidelined and has urged a pause. (Supplied)

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith presents this as a drive for clarity and consistency.

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Weakening an obligation changes what people can expect from the hostile state. Removing a Treaty provision deserves a clear justification, particularly when those whose interests it protects have challenged the change.

The Waitangi Tribunal has already delivered a serious warning. In its July report examining proposed changes, it found Cabinet had prioritised coalition commitments over informed policymaking and made substantive decisions without meaningful engagement with Māori. It recommended pausing the reforms for meaningful co-design.

Those findings give Jackson’s anger substance.

A government asking the public to trust its judgement should be able to explain why its political timetable deserves priority over addressing such serious criticism.

Parliament’s urgency motion covers the first readings and referral of three Treaty bills to select committee. It does not authorise their complete passage under urgency, so claiming that public submissions have already been shut out would go beyond the parliamentary record.

The Government must ensure that scrutiny now has substance. Māori need time to assess the proposals, explain their consequences and influence the outcome. A process that collects objections while ministers remain committed to a predetermined destination cannot build confidence.

The line is crossed when Māori are portrayed as undeserving beneficiaries simply for expecting the Crown to honour its commitments. Encouraging that resentment poisons the debate and makes honest discussion harder for everyone.

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Image: The Electoral Commission confirms the next general election will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, giving Prime Minister Christopher Luxon a fixed deadline to prove he can lead a coherent Government rather than remain trapped between NZ First's Winston Peters and ACT's David Seymour. (Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll / National Party Office)

Christopher Luxon bears responsibility for the direction of his Government.

ACT and New Zealand First can push their priorities, but coalition bargaining cannot absolve the Prime Minister of accountability for decisions made under his leadership.

Nor should the argument disappear into complaints about Jackson’s language.

“This is a disgraceful abuse of power and a reminder of just how utterly captured our Prime Minister is. Every member of the Government should be ashamed by this abuse of process. Endlessly bashing the Treaty for votes shows you how far the NZ Right have fallen,” Jackson said.

Why should Māori accept the weakening of Treaty recognition when the case for change has attracted such substantial criticism?

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Racist Treaty-bashing is seriously unacceptable. The Government must be made aware, our culture is not for sale neither should it be permanently removed from public life.

New Zealanders should demand evidence for each proposed repeal, meaningful engagement with affected communities and a willingness to change course. Ministers who believe their reforms are fair should welcome that scrutiny and act on what it reveals.

The Crown’s promises must carry weight beyond the next campaign. Luxon should insist on a process that earns trust, reject politics built on racial resentment and explain how these changes would strengthen the relationship his Government is responsible for maintaining.

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