The Treaty Debates
2008 – Finding common ground
The 2008 Treaty Debates aim to provide a fresh way of looking at the Treaty and its role in our history, focusing on the way in which we can find common ground in an area of national discussion which is often riven with conflict.
Chaired by historian Dr Claudia Orange and law lecturer Dr Claudia Geiringer.
- 21:06 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. (49′14″)
- Download: MP3 | Embed
- 12:00 Treaty Debate 2 (2008)
Dr Charles Royal sets out a provocative argument that in the future, all New Zealanders will be able to define themselves as tangata whenua.
Race relations commissioner Joris De Bres explores why race relations are of less concern than they were a few years ago, and lays out the detail of a statement - which his office was then about to issue - defining a set of core positions on indigeneity and cultural diversity. (53′48″)
- Download: MP3 | Embed
Information
Since 2005, Radio New Zealand has broadcast a series of annual public debates on the place of the Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand society and history. Under the direction of Dr Claudia Orange at Te Papa Tongarewa, The Museum of New Zealand, these Treaty Debates analyse a wide range of issues looking back into our history and forwards into the future. Featuring expert participants with an extensive knowledge of their subject-matter, the discussions provide a unique insight into how our nation is continuing redefine itself.
Links
- Constitutional Review Debates
A five-part series examining aspects of the New Zealand Constitutional Review being carried out by the government. - Waitangi Rua Rautau Lectures
The annual Waitangi Rua Rautau lecture looks forward to the Waitangi bicentenary in 2040. - Treaty of Waitangi
A collection of audio which explores the history of the Treaty of Waitangi. - Concepts of Nationhood
A lecture series symposium exploring the significance of the declaration of Dominion status for New Zealand in 1907.
External Links
- EmpowerNZ
The McGuinness Institute's constitutional review initiative. - Report 14 (pdf)
EmpowerNZ: Drafting a constitution for the 21st century.
The Treaty Debates on Te Papa's website
Podcast
The link(s) below can be pasted into your podcasting software.
For more podcasts and the conditions of use, please see our podcast page.
Coming up on National
Secondary Navigation and Search
Search
The Treaty Debates
Audio Library
There are 19 audio items in the programme library
