Students fear speaking up about Te Tiriti o Waitangi controversy

Most students across Massey University are walking into the year with a common floating topic on their mind — Te Tiriti O Waitangi.  

Late last year, the government proposed defining Aotearoa’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi.  

The proposal claimed the bill would ensure “the same rights and duties for all New Zealanders”. 

ACT Party leader David Seymour lead the initiative, introducing the Treaty Principles Bill.   

Though many students were interviewed, not one felt comfortable sharing their name given the controversy of Te Tiriti.  

Manawatū student Lucy* said, “The events over the summer have shown the country and the world how united we can become when certain issues arise here and it makes me proud.” 

Over the university summer break, protests took place across the country in retaliation to Seymour’s announcements, such as hui at Tuurangawaewae Marae, Rātana and Waitangi itself. 

Many Māori and non-Māori attended the protests to debate the issue. 

New student Josh* said, “I am studying a few courses this year with Treaty papers and it will be interesting to see how the papers relate to current affairs such as this one happening now.” 

Massey University is currently a Te Tiriti led university, with a Te Tiriti charter up for review in the next few years. 

For many, the toss-up whether Te Tiriti O Waitangi and the Treaty of Waitangi are the same interpretations was where tangata whenua and tangata tiriti were finding problems.