Key Issues for Democracy and Equal Citizenship

The Opportunity Party (TOP) supports giving Te Tiriti o Waitangi practical effect, recognising Māori as a Treaty partner and considering changes to New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements. Its September 2026 policy paper, Honouring Te Tiriti, emphasises Treaty obligations, Māori participation, devolution, and a national conversation about Te Tiriti's future constitutional role.

The policy does not explicitly affirm equal citizenship, equality of political rights or one person, one vote as principles governing its proposed constitutional arrangements.

Key policies include:

• Māori as a Treaty partner: TOP proposes that, when decisions concern Te Tiriti, Māori should have a separate role as a Treaty partner, in addition to the public’s participation through the democratic process.
• Constitutional change: TOP supports a national conversation about the long-term place of Te Tiriti in New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements, using public deliberation to seek durable agreement.
• Māori decision-making and devolution: TOP states that rangatiratanga should have practical expression in government decision-making and service delivery. It supports devolving responsibility where Māori organisations are better placed to achieve results.
• Treaty references in legislation: TOP proposes reviewing statutory Treaty provisions individually and amending them where necessary to give appropriate effect to Crown obligations. It also supports restoring Treaty references removed from legislation.
• Waitangi Tribunal: TOP supports the Tribunal and opposes attempts to restrict its role.
• Treaty settlements: TOP supports honouring existing settlements, completing outstanding historical settlements and ensuring Crown agencies meet their settlement commitments.
• Customary marine title: TOP proposes restoring the customary marine title settings that applied before the 2025 legislative changes.
• Citizens’ Voice: TOP proposes citizens’ assemblies to help shape government responses to important issues.

Reference

https://www.opportunity.org.nz/honouring_te_tiriti