New Zealand Parliament votes against ACT's Treaty Principles Bill: The controversy and public response

The Treaty Principles Bill was defeated in its second reading in New Zealand Parliament on Thursday (April 10), with only 11 ACT Party MPs voting in favour of the proposed legislation. National and New Zealand First voted against the bill, breaking with their coalition partner, ACT. While the number of MPs opposed to the bill was 112 in the 123-member House, those in favour were just 11.

The bill has been a source of significant controversy and public debate, with a record number of submissions and a large protest march. ACT leader David Seymour vowed to continue pursuing the issue, while opposition MPs celebrated the bill’s defeat.


The second reading occurred on Thursday, April 10, 2025. The final vote was 11 in favour (ACT MPs) and 112 against. National, New Zealand First, Labour, Green Party, and Te Pāti Māori voted against the bill, resulting in its defeat.

The breakup of the number of MPs and the parties they belong to are as follows: Opposed - 48 MPs of National, Labour 34, , Gree Party 15, NZ First 8 and Te Pāti Māori 6; in favour 11 MPs of the ACT.

There were celebrations in the House and the public gallery following the announcement of the defeat. A waiata, Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi, was performed, and Speaker Gerry Brownlee criticized a haka performed by a member of the public.

Before the vote, Seymour expressed hope that his coalition partners might change their minds, stating, “They keep saying that they won’t but of course, they’ll always say they won’t until they will.” However, both National and New Zealand First confirmed they would vote against the bill.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters were not present for the vote. Luxon cited scheduling conflicts, while Peters was traveling to Tonga. Luxon stated, “It’s just a function of schedule. Frankly, it’s more important that it comes to the House and is voted down than me having to be there or not.”

Labour leader Chris Hipkins criticized Luxon’s absence, calling it “cowardly” and a “total lack of leadership.” Hipkins stated the bill was “a grubby little Bill, born of a grubby little deal.” He added that the bill "will forever be a stain on the country".

Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka referred to the second reading as the bill’s “cremation day” and “nehu [burial] day.” He said, “We’ve been very clear. National does not support the bill past its second reading and there’s been a whole host of organisations, individuals, experts, young people, rangatahi that are completely opposed to the principles bill.”

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said she would be amplifying the voices of the submitters in her speech. She emphasized the overwhelming opposition to the bill, stating, “The people spoke, there was one clear message: Toitū te Tiriti.” Davidson stated, "The people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly and strongly. The people are not fooled by the ACT Party.”

Seymour defended his position, arguing that the high number of opposing submissions didn’t reflect public opinion and that similar patterns had been seen with other controversial legislation.

He asserted that the bill was necessary to define Treaty principles, which he said had been “hijacked” by courts, the Waitangi Tribunal, and the bureaucracy. He stated, “I'm proud ACT has had the courage to put this issue on the table and I still hope that other political parties will step up too - because New Zealanders believe in these principles.” He added, “I believe they’re more ready for this debate than they’re given credit for but if it’s ACT alone … I guess that in its own way will be a message to the public about who has the courage to raise these issues.”

The bill received approximately 300,000 written submissions, with 90% opposed, 8% in support, and 2% unclear. The bill had previously fueled a large protest march in November 2024.