In a surprise move last Wednesday, National, New Zealand First, and ACT MPs defeated the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngai Tahu Representation) Bill, a Bill that would have granted un-elected members of Ngai Tahu the right to sit and vote on the Canterbury Regional Council.

In the wake of the Christchurch massacre, this vote was a victory for unity for all New Zealanders ahead of any particular "identity" group, and affirmed that our rights are based on citizenship, not ethnicity.

Our online Change.org petition attracted more than 17,800 signatures.

Each petition milestone allowed us to remind Canterbury regional councillors that their Bill was not only profoundly undemocratic but would contribute to the growing number of laws creating a wedge between Maori and non-Maori.

We are delighted that National, New Zealand First and ACT MPs voted down this bill. Please consider emailing the Party leaders to thank them for their principled stance in voting the Ngai Tahu Bill down:  [email protected],  [email protected], and [email protected].  

Hobson’s Pledge has a vision in which all New Zealanders enjoy a single standard of citizenship.

We are considering launching petitions on the Parliamentary website concerning significant areas of law where every single voice is important, so please stay tuned.