Rahui Katene
Maori Party law and justice spokesperson
2 August 2011
Maori Party calls for Treaty oath option
The Maori Party is proposing a law that will give politicians, police officers, members of the judiciary and public
office-holders an option to uphold the nation’s founding document when they swear their oath of allegiance.
“The Treaty of Waitangi is our founding document and people who hold public office should not be deprived of giving it
recognition,” Maori Party law and justice spokesperson Rahui Katene said today.
“The Treaty is a fundamental basis of our identity not only as Maori but as a nation.
“The Treaty provides us with the foundations for our parliament in this country, Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Oaths and Declaration Bill moves us further in the journey to nationhood as another step in upholding the Treaty of
Waitangi.”
The Maori Party has been lobbying to bring legislation into the context of statutory oaths and declarations since July
2006.
ENDS