Abstract
This comment examines New Zealand’s compliance with the Treaty of Waitangi and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by examining the countries treatment of Māori following the introduction of the Treaty Principles Bill and comparing the nations treatment of these groups to similarly situated nations. This comment analyzes the legal and moral duties imposed by the UNDRIP and ILO Convention 169 and the criticism New Zealand has faced for its pushback against the principles originally enshrined in the Treaty of Waitangi. This comment will first provide background on the treatment of Māori in New Zealand following British colonization. It will then explain the controversy surrounding the Treaty Principles Bill and the pushback it has faced from indigenous rights activists around the world. Next, this comment will analyze the steps New Zealand has taken to recognize and protect Māori rights and explain why criticisms against the government and the Treaty Principles Bill are well founded under international law. Finally, this comment will recommend ways for the government of New Zealand to honor its commitments to indigenous groups by ensuring meaningful Māori participation in proceedings that affect them, highlight the benefits of adhering to international law, and propose strategies to continue protecting some of the most vulnerable members of society.
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