Treaty Principles Bill Defeated: What It Means for Māori and Aotearoa Tēnā koutou whānau. In a pivotal moment for Aotearoa’s constitutional and Treaty politics, Parliament has voted down the controversial Treaty Principles Bill, a proposal that sought to fundamentally change how the Treaty of Waitangi / te Tiriti o Waitangi is interpreted and applied in law. The bill’s defeat in 2026 marks not just a political outcome – but a stand for Māori rights, tino rangatiratanga, and the honour of te Tiri