2 Aug 2011

Maori Party renews bid for oath law change

8:51 pm on 2 August 2011

The Maori Party is renewing its bid to bring in new oath laws, with one of its MPs introducing a member's bill for politicians and officials to be able to also swear their allegiance to the Treaty of Waitangi.

The bill will first need to be selected from a ballot before it can be considered by Parliament and will not happen before the election on 26 November.

The Maori Party's law and justice spokesperson, Rahui Katene, says politicians, police officers, members of the judiciary and public office-holders should have the option to also recognise New Zealand's founding document.

The Maori Party has been trying to change the law covering statutory oaths and declarations since July 2006.