PC: Asif Ahmad from ASST

A Night to remember. On the 19th of November, 2024 the government announced that the submissions for the Treaty Principles Bill was now open. On the same day, Te Ohu Whakawhanaunga Tāmaki Makaurau came together to take action against the Treaty Principles Bill.

With 260 people gathered in St. Matthew-in-the-City standing up against this divisive bill that undermines and overwrites the relationship that has been build between tangata whenua and the crown.

Three fantastic co-chairs of the night were Rev. Alec Toleafoa, Saane Siua of Living Wage and E tū, and our very own organiser Zeo Haami. 

We heard from 6 powerful speakers sharing about why we should take action against this bill and why submissions is key. Sophie Coomber as our expert speaker, followed by Grant Williams of MUNZ, Rev. Richard Bonifant of St.Matthew-in-the-City, Jasmin Hansen-Mckay of Te Kura o Pātiki/ ILA, Rev. Martin Mariota of EFKS Magele-i-Sisifo, and the CEO of Lifewise Haehaetu Barrett.

We had a few public oral commitments during the action, 220 submission forms distributed, and also 11 written commitments.

The action was packed, more chairs were brought out and people stopped by to check it out also. The work doesn’t end here and we will be submitting the submissions we got from you and people on the night, on the 18th of December here at E tū office if anyone wants to help out.

Other than that, what a fantastic turnout, outcome, and commitments from you all.

From your willingness to volunteer, run the action, be present, to doing sign-ins, looking after food catering, ushering team, taking photos, and working together to see it through. This was your action and you took charge! Thank you. 

Make sure you make a submission today before it closes on the 7th of January, 2025: MAKE A SUBMISSION HERE