In an interview on Q+A with Jack Tame, Eru Kapa-Kingi, the prominent face of the separatist-leaning Toitū te Tiriti movement, defended his position on the Treaty Principles Bill proposed by the ACT Party. Kapa-Kingi appeared on the programme after leading a group of protesters who carpooled and marched to Parliament in opposition to the bill.
The march was initially organised by Te Pāti Māori, who have been vocal in their opposition to the ACT Party’s attempts to redefine Treaty principles. Kapa-Kingi, who has close ties with the party, has emerged as the spokesperson for the Toitū te Tiriti movement.
During the interview, Kapa-Kingi acknowledged the principle of equal rights for all New Zealanders, but then went on to argue that Tangata Whenua (Māori) should have distinct rights separate from those of settlers. This apparent contradiction prompted host Jack Tame to challenge him directly, suggesting that Kapa-Kingi’s stance ultimately advocates for a two-tiered system of rights based on ethnicity.
Kapa-Kingi responded with a lengthy and complex word-salad, which some viewers may have found difficult to follow, leaving the core issue unresolved in the eyes of critics.
The interview highlighted the deep and ongoing divisions in New Zealand's conversation about the Treaty of Waitangi and the role it plays in shaping modern governance.
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