The co-chair of a panel set up to seek people's views on New Zealand's constitution says the future of the Treaty of Waitangi will form a crucial part of the discussion.
Twelve panel members, co-chaired by Sir Tipene O'Regan and Emeritus Professor John Burrows, are tasked with finding out how the public wants New Zealand to be run in the future.
They formally opened submissions on Tuesday - seeking feedback on matters such as human rights and whether Maori should continue to have special seats in Parliament.
Sir Tipene says it is important to discuss how the Treaty of Waitangi will mesh with rules governing the future.
He says it's well established now that the Treaty is the country's founding document - and it's time to discuss what exactly that means.
One of the most important and challenging parts of the project will be educating people about constitutional matters, he says.
