New member's bill will help bring immigrants into Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership
Thursday 18 October 2012, 6:08PM
By Green Party
275 views
A new member's bill launched today would help to bring new citizens into the partnership embodied in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Green Party said today.
"My Citizenship (Acknowledgement of Te Tiriti o Waitangi) Amendment Bill would have district councils and others who run citizenship ceremonies include mention of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and inform new citizens of the local iwi and hapu in their area," said Green Party spokesperson for Te Tiriti o Waitangi Catherine Delahunty.
"My research into current practices of district councils revealed 89% do not have any mention of Te Tiriti at all in their current ceremony.
"In many councils, the closest to a mention of Tangata Whenua is the singing of the national anthem in Te Reo Maori or the gifting of a native plant.
"While the 11% of councils who currently make specific reference to Te Tiriti o Waitangi should be applauded, new citizens in other regions are missing out.
"This simple change to the Citizenship Act would help to enhance Te Tiriti as a living partnership for all who live in this country.
"I look forward to my bill being drawn from the ballot and urge the other political parties to support it becoming law."