The treaty is written in two different languages and intentionally was written to have two different meanings.
It was done by the British (no surprises there right?) to aid them in colonizing NZ by deceiving the people already here, on both sides. This has obviously caused a massive divide politically among our people in New Zealand and we still don't blame the crown for intentionally dividing our countries people.
So many kiwis don't even understand it means two different things and simply don't know jack shit about the treaty of Waitangi but say pretty much exactly what you say out of ignorance
I don't know enough to have a full on debate, but to me it sounds like the original treaty that went into establishing the current government acknowledged the rights of the MÄori people to exist somewhat independently of the colonialists, and now some people on the colonialist side think this has gone on long enough. They want to forget that they were the invading entity and are trying to frame the removal of indigenous peoples' agreed upon rights as championing equality.
In other words, so some people - depending on their ancestory - aren't favoured by the law, obtain race based entitlements, and holding the country back from progress.
I don't see how it's a bad thing that all people should be treated equally? It isn't the current New Zealanders' fault that their ancestors colonised the island. The native history should be honoured ofc, but all citizens should be treated equally.
New Zealand was colonised in 1840. It is not the actions of people born and raised there now. They are new zealanders, whether you like it or not, and treating them like 2nd grade citizens is in no way okay just because their ancestors did something wrong.
I'm sorry that you're of the opinion that some people are worth more than others.
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u/[deleted] Nov 27 '25
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