Treaty Debate 1 (2008)

Professor Mason Durie (Professor of Maori Research and Development & Deputy Vice-Chancellor Maori at Massey University) considers that the Treaty has become embedded in the life of the nation, contributing to a spectacular transformation of our society in recent decades. He also argues that it has assumed the role of reflecting how New Zealand values its indigenous people and their participation in society.

Dr Matthew Palmer (former Dean of Victoria University of Wellington's Law School and 2005 International Research Fellow of the New Zealand Law Foundation) puts forward the case that as uncertainty is inherent in the meaning of the Treaty of Waitangi, it would be worth stabilizing its legal and constitutional place by giving its principles the status of ordinary law for the future, judged by ordinary courts.