NZ Centre for Political Research

This week's poll asks:

Do you agree with Professor Allan that a written Treaty-based constitution would be a disaster for New Zealand?

*Given the repeated incidents of politicians ignoring the will of the people I do not agree that we currently have a wonderful democratic system. That being said I agree that it is absolutely essential that final decision making should rest in the legislature and the people. I say "and the people" because I believe we should go down the road of direct democracy in which politicians can no longer blithely stitch up their special and self serving deals. This "principles of the Treaty of Waitangi" nonsense started with Labour's Tomorrow's Schools where they were made a mandatory part of each school's charter. So much for the promised self governing schools. Fraud and deception!
So I say we don't want a written constitution for the reasons that Professor Allen has outlined and we don't want legislated racial privilege. I urge readers to support the group fighting the proposed Constitution and to make a donation to assist its efforts. (I have.) Our current democratic system is imperfect but it can be changed for the better if a sufficient number of citizens lay down the law to their politicians. Under our present system dopey laws can be rescinded and mistakes remedied by Parliament. The absolutely last thing we need are activist judges imposing unwarranted and unwanted interpretations of laws which affect us all. Denis

*The flight to Australia would be spectacular. Jasmine

*The treaty is not unlike the christian bible. It can be interpreted by the reader in any manner to support his/her views. Dispute exists over which version is valid. The original document or its translation into maori. A treaty based constitution would at best initiate endless dispute or, at worst, a form of civil war. Peter

*We are one people but the TOW tribunal does not recognise the fact. Ken

*Utterly and vehemently I agree with Prof Allan. I have thought so for many years. Paul

*As part-Maori have continually shown their incompetence at running the country,why should we have a constitution based on a 172yr.out of date Treaty? The people need to vote this outrage into the history books by it being on everybody's radar. Monica

*This would make NZ into a virtually communist state. Alistair

*Time to ignore the Treaty and have a constitution giving equal rights for all New Zealanders. Peter

*NO to racial discrimination. Brian

*Whoever would pay any value to a treaty, written 200 years ago, in a language which was strictly oral, is very foolish. Wim

*Just look at how US Republicans are using their version of the US constitution to promote their views on the role of Christianity, abortion et al. Simon

*I would say "shrewd pakeha Maori" who are neither pakeha or Maori who could be described as the "elite" group. Brian

*The whole bundle of issues and the inaction of our elected Govt on them is cause for grave concern. Peter

*New Zealand has already felt the deleterious effects of pandering to the whims of the opportunists in the Maori Party, Maori Council and corporate IWI. That said, up to this point the damage is, if not reversible, at least stoppable. A written Constitution based on the deliberate mis-interpretation of the Treaty would be the point of no return. It would mean, effectively, the implementation of an Apartheid system for our once-great little nation. Alistair

*But while the new constitution will be a disaster, we're still going to end up with it. Why? Because the UN & their globalist master wish it. The Iwi "elite" and their sycophants might be a bunch of racist throw-back tribalists, but at the end of the day they are nothing more than willing pawns in the hands of a group of people FAR more wicked and conniving than they. The time for revolution is NOW. Peter

*New Zealand will never progress while we have this racial albatross around the neck of the Nation. We must do away with this apartheid. The Maori seats must be abolished as must the Waitangi Tribunal. There must be one law for all. Michael

*Four comments 1. get rid of the bleeding hearts 2. get rid of the nonsense treaty 3. get rid of the maori racism 4.get rid of these so called lawyers who misinterpret the treaty. David

*All New Zealand Citizens (regardless of race) should be equal at Law, local & central government representation, & and state aid, economic, health, or education opportunities. All New Zealanders should move into the future as one democratic nation, with equality for ALL citizens,regardless of "Race". Kevin

*WE don't want a Treaty-based constitution for NZ. Thank you for all your hard work Muriel it is greatly appreciated. Cathy

This week's poll asks:

Do you agree with Professor Allan that a written Treaty-based constitution would be a disaster for New Zealand?

*Any written constitution can be risky, a Treaty based one would be doubly so. Bill

*I would leave my homeland immediately if they succeed in bringing such a constitution into being!! Jim

*But politicians don't have any guts for the hard things and very little sense of reality and really only do what they can to stay in parliament for the dubious self importance of being abe to use MP with their names so I doubt this farce will be stopped. Grahame

*But RACIST MOARI will still want it because it lets them hold out their RACIST hand to STEAL more money from the people who ACTUALLY WORK for the money they receive. Mark

*It is well past the time that "the treaty" should be done away with. It has been manipulated by Maori for their own ends-young Maori have been educated to believe that they have been hard done by in NZ. They have had equal opportunity in NZ but have been too lazy to work for their place in society & blame the rest of NZ for their problems. Robert

*I said it before and I say it again: I consider the Treaty an outdated, utterly useless and misleading piece of a 'contract' which is (ab)used as an excuse to redistribute not only wealth but also political power into the hands of a very few greedy, ruthless and fashistic racists.That lot has nothing else in mind than take over total control over lock stock and barrel in this country. Michael

*Such documents which were intended to be fixed points of reference in the future, have been hi-jacked by activist judges and self-serving politicians. In the case of the USA, the second amendment to the constitution which talks about separation of church and state, has been infused with a meaning which is totally at odds with Thomas Jefferson's intention when he wrote it, and the intentions of those who voted for its adoption. It was written to prevent the establishment of an official state church denomination. Now, rather than protecting freedom of religion, it has become freedom from religion. In the process, people's freedom have actually been destroyed. Similarly with the Treaty of Waitangi. There are no "principles of the Treaty," the treaty is purely what it says and what was meant by what it said at the time it was written and signed. The idea that its clear, simple words can be re-interpreted to mean anything anyone with the power wishes it to say is highly dangerous path to follow. Duncan

*With the way the treaty interpretation is made by some Maoris it is heavily biased towards the Maori claimants and sadly never-ending and causing much racial enmity between Maoris (of mixed blood and most non-Maoris. George

*All New Zealanders. One Country, one people. Andy

*GOD HELP US. JOHANNES

*I fully support Mr Allens comments. Eric

*We have gone to far already to appease elite Maori interests. Mike

This week's poll asks:

Do you agree with Professor Allan that a written Treaty-based constitution would be a disaster for New Zealand?

*When are we going to find some - any - politicians with the guts to put the treaty where it belongs - in a museum. Maurice

*We do not need it. Geoff

*Do we want our democratic system, however imperfect, ruined by a race-based constitution that would make non-Maori second-class citizens in their own country? Just look at what is happening now in South Africa where the whites live in total fear of the blacks all the time - a reversal of apartheid. Do we want this to happen here? This government has taken us down a slippery racial path by pandering to its Maori Party "friends". A minority party is running the country with the encouragement of the National government. They won't be getting my vote next year! Laurence

*I have returned to NZ after living OS for more than 37 years.this could be my biggest mistake. I cant believe how Maori has taken over our life style. I am sick of all things maori, including the Haka. It is so disappointing to see how pakeha have been conned by govt. I am seriously considering a move back OS. good luck with your campaign. Warwick

*Unnecessary and undesirable. Donald

*God forbid - this would be our opportunity to put an end to the Treaty Gravy train. Maggie

*If a Treaty-based constitution is written by greedy maoris is allowed to be accepted by New Zealand's parliament, then we are in deep dodo, the whole country is!!! Neil

*I'm sick of having Maori this and Maori that imposed upon us at every turn!!!! Graeme

*New Zealanders have had enough of this Treaty malarchy bleeding every last cent out of them. Arthur

*Sheer Madness. Joy

*The whole Treaty scene has just become a total political nonsense. Robert

*Most definitely. No More Race-Based decisions for New Zealand please. Mark

*It is amazing how much Maori is creeping into this English speaking Country. Not content with the HAKA at Rugby Games we now find changes to place names, Maori schools, (no wonder they cannot get jobs or know right from wrong when all they have been taught is MAORI) New Constitution what for? they use our Welfare, shops, roads, etc and they want us Taxpayers to fund their Rights, They have kept the Country POOR by wanting this and that back under The Treaty. One ought to read Ian Wisharts Book it is an eye opener. I also located a letter written to me back in 1995 re The Queens Chain and National Parks was told neither could ever be owned by anyone other than THE PEOPLE OF NEW ZEALAND...
I am scared as to what is going to be the end result to this wonderful Country, 15% of the population is now ruling it, and the more they get the more they want and when we have someone in Parliament or higher to say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH then we are going further down the gurglar.
Why is their suddenly starving children at schools. I have been told by a couple of school teachers that they were supplying the odd child with breakfast out of their own pockets and each week another couple joined the group and then the schools decided to do something and the teachers noticed that even children that used to bring their lunches suddenly did not and when asked were told that their Parents said Ïf the school is providing Breakfast etc then why should I? You can also get free meal/meals and join the queue, there is no need. Welfare is also ruining the Country. Too easy to get One only has to take a few hours at WINZ (or whatever they call themselves now) and see how much FREE is handed out to other than those of us that are honest, chits for NEW washing machines, fridges, food etc oh yes told that they have to pay it back out of their benefits???? know of lots that don't bother, they feel WE owe them. I am glad I can cross the ditch and live in another Country. I am sick of having to scrimp and save for what I want. "LAST ONE OUT PLEASE TURN OFF THE LIGHT". Marylin

*Yes, of course it would be a disaster for New Zealand. I used to think a constitution would be a good idea ... with a lot more life experience and evidence aplenty that most people are full of treachery, I think we are better off being governed by the usual crop of idiots ... at least we can swap one lot of idiots for another every three years, but with a constitution we can't do a thing about it. Judges are proving in many cases to be incompetent and totally out of touch with reality ... and I might add, full of treachery. As far as the Maori language is concerned, it is abundantly obvious to everyone that nobody can be bothered with the language, including Maori, so the academics need to just put it all in the history book and stick in the Museum where it belongs. Dianna

*Do you agree with Professor Allan that a written Treaty-based constitution would be a disaster for New Zealand?
Not until I had read Professor Allan’s article. I had I must admit rather naive views that perhaps only a written Constitution could possibly save us from the deprivations of MMP and the blackmail of minority rule.
Like others I had been brought up to regard legal documents as the last word (s) in stability. Now to face that any legal document written in the past may be open to alteration to suit some modern idiom or jargon is rather daunting.
If we are to expect Judges to place their own views ahead of what the “legal intention/or interpretation that brought a law into being; we are, regretfully in very shallow waters, especially as far as a written Constitution is concerned.
There is another field which is now opened, just how and where, is our basic concept of a “Legal Freehold title” on residential/commercial/industrial ownership? Especially so, since our P.M. signed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People which gave Maori unfettered rights in New Zealand.
Or is there a hidden clause in this document whereby non-Maori can hold a freehold title? Contrary to living in tribalism?
Seeing our way constitutionally is somewhat rocky, perhaps our checks and balances can come from a final “Second House” of last resort? Brian

This week's poll asks:

Do you agree with Professor Allan that a written Treaty-based constitution would be a disaster for New Zealand?

*The rush for the "exit door" would greatly accelerate - and it would be those with brains leaving if such an eventuality were to happen. Our little country would seriously become more non-viable as an economic entity. Peter McP

*Time to stand up. Desmond

*The treaty based issues have gone too far and are dividing N.Z. Melva

*Can someone please explain to me why John Key and the National weaklings are doing this? I thought Helen Clark was a dictator but Key leaves her for dead. Whats in it for Key? Chris

*Any written constitution would be bad. MMP needs work and can be modified. It does not need to be abandoned. The Prof did not mention what he would like to see replace it. Another important thing is to defeat the Labouring Party's efforts to change the NZ flag and turn the place into a republic which would give elected politicians absolute power. That would be a fate worse than death. K

*To have a treaty based constitution for NZ would be like putting a rabbit in charge of your lettuce patch. Karen

*The only way we will truely move on as a nation is to become one people and have one rule of law for all New Zealanders. GRANT

*Absolutely, the thought is abhorrent to all thinking New Zealanders who are concerned about the future of the country. Dex

*Unnecessary and divisive. Henry

*With out a single doubt! David

*Absolutely disastrous. Craig

*Civil war in the making. Carolyn

*The National Party is made up of intelligent people. Why cant they see what they are doing is wrong. Bill

*As nobody is allowed to interpret the TWO versions of the treaty, other than Maori activists, the treaty cannot form the basis for anything - other than trouble. Auntie Podes

*I believe it is time we all stopped writing comments to each other and joined forces to promote a protest march to get our concerns out in the open. Any starters? Bob

*Maybe I should apply for my Australian passport. Geoffrey

*I consider that such legislation would result in a form of NZ apathied and radically divide our country and cause racial disharmony Brian

This week's poll asks:

Do you agree with Professor Allan that a written Treaty-based constitution would be a disaster for New Zealand?

*The Treaty was never supposed to have such a hold over development of NZ.Elitist Maori have got their hooks into it and are hyping up the power that the Treaty never was supposed to have. It will only stop when Maori feel they have total control. Lookout for the disaster ahead gaining traction bit by bit!!!! Peter

*For all of the reasons James Allan stated. Barry

*I never thought NZ would have a government who would entertain such a ridiculous proposal. Law abiding, working, honest people should leave for Australia while they still can. Murray

*Take off our skin, we are all the same underneath. As for government secret review plan..where is our democracy. Jane

*Along with all the Waitangi Tribunal mumbo-jumbo. The gravy train needs to stop at the next station. Gary

*When will the Government come to its senses and realise that they are fully endorsing apartheid which is already entrenched in NZ society where to be European is to be a second class citizen. Patricia

*God have mercy on us if that ever happens. PETER

*Anything that enshrines the treaty or any of its clauses in law would be a disaster for us. Better left well alone. Ray S

*This country is going to the dogs under National. Geoff

*The Statement of Equality is all our Country needs for the future! Kees

*Scrub ALL reference to the treaty!!! Rick

*Racism will get worse. Gerhard

*Apartheid! Mike

*And because of the difficulty of the wording of the Treaty it will be a massive disaster for Maori as they will no longer be able to hide behind the "principles". Malcolm

*NZ should be for all New Zealanders----no apartheid----equal rights for everyone. Janet

*The Treaty has outlived it's usefullness and should be abolished for ever so that we can live as one people with the same laws for everyone. Mary

*I'm sick of National sucking up to Maori, let's get on with it. Max

*You would be committing treason to believe in a Treaty based constitution. Chris

*The idea of a race-based constitution is abhorrent, racist, backward, and will probably happen with our current politicians. JG

*In Auckland we have a council that is bending over backwards to meet the "principles of the treaty". Yet as we all know there are no 'principles". God defend NZ if such a notion was embodied in a Constitution. Frank

*There must be a point in time for example that a Treaty such as Waitangi no longer has any credence after 3 generations where the intermarriage, science and technology makes it null& void and mythology,so called history is uncertain rather than factual by one race, compels the majority by 85% to be second class citizens such as is the case with the New Zealand. Government. Robert W

This week's poll asks:

Do you agree with Professor Allan that a written Treaty-based constitution would be a disaster for New Zealand?

*If this happened there would not be enough planes to carry Kiwis to Aus - never to return! Mark

*The Settlements given were supposed to be final and yet they still ask for more. Cherryl

*It would be mind-boggling stupid. But, National has been mind-boggling stupid in squandering nine years in which to prepare for government, with knee jerk reactions to well planned separatist strategic moves. Geoff

*Yes, of course it would be a disaster for New Zealand. The first thing the country needs to do is get rid of the racist maori seats in parliament. As long as these exist we will have weak politicians who will make agreements with the racist party to stay in power. The National government will be just as devious with a constitutional review as it was with the MMP referendum. John

*It is time our government conceded that the "tribunal" is a maori elite group paddling their own arrogant,selfish,greedy Waka which makes them boat people just like everyone else,why do we now have any requirement to recognise them? IAN

*All Non maori including those born in New Zealand would become second class citizens. Mike

*It would be racially biased,in favour of the Maori. Te Treaty is not structured for today's times. Vivian

*We protested about apartheid in South Africa. NZ will go down the same road if the Treaty of Waitangi becomes the bases for our constitution. ONE PEOPLE, ONE COUNTRY!!! Joan

*I couldn't agree more! Nancy

*No comment required. John

This week's poll asks:

Do you agree with Professor Allan that a written Treaty-based constitution would be a disaster for New Zealand?

*Just look at how an innocent document like the Treaty of Waitangi has been fraudulently manipulated by a greedy bunch of racist plastic maoris and turned it into an anchor around all our necks under our very noses and without any independent sensible logical input. Derejk

*Let's get the numbers and put and end to this nonsense. Elvin

*It's ironic that many people who railed against apatite in South Africa are supporters of it here. Willy

*Absolutely!!!!! Tim

*I couldn't imagine anything worse than a Treaty-based constitution. The numbers leaving for Australia would escalate! Kay

*The whole thing is scandalous. What right does a 1% party have to dictate our future constitution. The national Party deserves to be beaten at the election if this goes ahead. Jim

*That is an excellent article by Professor Allan - and well done over the Independent Constitutional Review Panel. Susan

*New Zealand should preserve parliamentary sovereignty - at least we can throw the buggers out when MPs get it wrong. But we would be stuck with radical judges under a written constitution - Heaven help us! Mike

*Yes it would be a dreadful disaster for NZ. Peter