In its coalition deal with NZ First, National agreed to "conduct a comprehensive review of all legislation (except when it is related to, or substantive to, existing full and final Treaty settlements) that includes 'The Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi'".
To this end, Justice and Treaty negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith has appointed a panel to provide initial advice, examining over 20 pieces of legislation dating back to 1986.
The panel consists of the following four members:
David Cochrane, the chair of the review group, is a Wellington-based lawyer who has been practising public and commercial law since the 1980s, has worked on the Parliamentary Counsel, which drafts legislation, and has been a member of the Law Society's Reform Committee and the Legislation Advisory Committee. He was a member of the Waitangi Tribunal (2014-2021).
The other members are:
James Christmas, who has broad experience in the Treaty of Waitangi and Crown–Maori relationship. He is a former advisor to then Attorney-General Chris Finlayson, who was also Treaty negotiations minister in the Key government. He co-authored the book Treaty Settlements and the Future of Aotearoa NZ with Finlayson.
Marama Royal, (Ngāti Whātua ki Tāmaki) A former public servant and a member of several boards including Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust, Pou Take Āhuarangi (Climate Pou of National Iwi Chairs Forum) and several Māori or community trusts.
John Walters, a founding partner at his law firm Walters Law, specialising in property, commercial and trust law, serving clients including large corporates and businesses, Māori Trusts and iwi. He also acted as a Treaty claims negotiator for his iwi Te Aupōuri. He is a retired Director of the Te Rau Matatini. Te Rau Matatini, now Te Rau Ora Company Board, is a Māori organisation providing a range of local and national programmes to improve Māori Health.
Chair David Cochrane told RNZ that "No-one's given us any instructions, there's terms of reference and we just follow those," he said.
The review is due to be finalised by the end of August.
Media coverage
1News: Govt moves to replace or repeal Treaty principles clauses from laws
RNZ: Reviewers of legislation Treaty clauses expected to report back in months