How the Treaty is reflected in law and local government remains one of the most contested issues.
Treaty principles have mostly been developed by the courts and the Waitangi Tribunal. A bill to define them was voted down in 2025, but the question remains a campaign issue.
ACT wrote the Treaty Principles Bill and was the only party to vote for it; its 2026 policy drops the bill but still seeks to limit vague Treaty clauses. Source
The Greens voted against the Treaty Principles Bill and want te Tiriti's te reo text recognised as authoritative. Source
Labour voted against the Treaty Principles Bill and opposes government efforts to redefine the Treaty. Source
National voted down the Treaty Principles Bill, though in government it has standardised Treaty wording across 19 laws. Source
NZ First voted against the Treaty Principles Bill; it prefers replacing undefined principles clauses with specific obligations or removing them. Source
Te Pāti Māori fiercely opposed the Treaty Principles Bill and wants te Tiriti entrenched constitutionally. Source
Opportunity opposed the Treaty Principles Bill, arguing that codifying principles in statute risks oversimplifying them. Source
A 2024 law required councils with Māori wards to hold a binding referendum on keeping them at the 2025 local elections.
ACT voted for the 2024 law restoring binding referendums on Māori wards, calling it a restoration of democracy. Source
The Greens opposed the 2024 law reinstating Māori ward referendums. Source
Labour removed Māori ward referendums in 2021 and voted against reinstating them in 2024; no 2026 pledge to reverse the law was found. Source
National passed the 2024 law requiring councils with Māori wards to hold binding referendums. Source
NZ First voted for the 2024 law restoring Māori ward referendums, which Winston Peters defended as restoring democracy. Source
Te Pāti Māori opposed the 2024 law, calling the referendum requirement an attack on the Treaty. Source
UnconfirmedNo public Opportunity position on Māori ward referendums was found; it has previously pledged to protect Māori seats in Parliament. Source
Co-governance arrangements already exist for some rivers, lakes and parks through Treaty settlements. Parties disagree on whether to extend or limit them.
ACT opposes race-based arrangements and co-governance, arguing for equal rights and one law for all. Source
The Greens want iwi and hapū to take part as partners in government decision-making and support land returns. Source
Labour has backed co-governance models in Treaty settlements, but Hipkins now talks of slowing change and rebuilding trust; no specific expansion is proposed. Source
National's government has rolled back several Treaty-based arrangements and opposes extending co-governance, while keeping existing settlement arrangements. Source
NZ First strongly opposes co-governance and the expansion of Treaty-based arrangements. Source
Te Pāti Māori seeks constitutional change centred on rangatiratanga, mana motuhake and land return. Source
UnconfirmedOpportunity supports more Māori control of services and restoring earlier customary marine title rules, but states no position on shared resource governance. Source