Treaty Principles Bill hīkoi organiser rejects David Seymour's offer to meet

Ngāpuhi leader calls for Māori Party to apologise for 'siding with National'

Treaty Principles Bill hīkoi organiser Merepeka Raukawa-Tait has rejected David Seymour's offer to meet, saying she will not engage with him until he apologises for his comments about Māori.

Seymour, the leader of the ACT party, has been a vocal critic of the Treaty Principles Bill, which would require the Crown to uphold the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi in all of its work.

He has called the bill "racist" and said it would create a "two-tiered system of justice", claims that have been rejected by Māori leaders.

Raukawa-Tait, who is leading the hīkoi in support of the bill, said she was "disappointed" by Seymour's comments.

"He is entitled to his opinion, but he needs to be respectful of Māori and the Treaty of Waitangi," she said.

"I will not meet with him until he apologises for his comments and withdraws his support for the National Party, which is opposing the bill."

The Māori Party, which is supporting the bill, has also been criticised by some Māori leaders for working with National.

Raukawa-Tait said she was "disappointed" by the Māori Party's decision to side with National.

"The Māori Party is supposed to represent Māori interests, but they are putting their own political interests ahead of the interests of Māori," she said.

"I call on the Māori Party to apologise to Māori for siding with National and to withdraw their support for the bill."