The Iwi Chairs Forum has appealed to King Charles in an open letter over what they say has been an “attack” on the Treaty of Waitangi and concerns about Government policies affecting Māori.
The influential forum represents around 80 iwi from across the motu.
The group’s letter, first published in The Guardian earlier today, was sent recently after the unprecedented nationwide hīkoi protesting the Treaty Principles Bill — which culminated with more than 40,000 people marching on Parliament.
However, the forum listed several wide-ranging areas of concern, including representation on local councils, resource management rights, and the revitalisation of te reo Māori, among other things.
The letter was signed by more than 500 people, with signatures of rangatira from “whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori organisations”.
In the plea to the monarch, representatives Margaret Mutu and Aperahama Edwards expressed “grave concerns” about the coalition’s legislative programme, claiming the Government “has promised to attack Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the rights of our whānau”.
A new 1News Verian poll asked if people supported or opposed the Bill. (Source: 1News)
Edwards told 1News the letter “equally, was to remind our Treaty partner of our obligations to each other and to the promise made by our ancestors”.
The letter went on to seek intervention from King Charles “to ensure that the Government does not diminish the Crown’s honour” through its actions.
“Please remind them to respect their responsibility to act as an honourable partner on your behalf,” the letter read.
“We would welcome an opportunity to have regular contact with you or your office to build a closer relationship and realise the Tiriti ‘promise of two peoples to take the best possible care of each other’.
“We are united in our grave concerns about what these actions will do to our whānau.”
Responding to the letter’s claims, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka told 1News: “While we don’t always agree on everything, the Government remains committed to working with iwi and Māori to help achieve shared interests.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has previously defended his government from suggestions it has eroded indigenous rights, though conceded Crown-Māori relations have worsened since the coalition came into power 12 months ago.