A Horse Trek Brought a Big Treaty Petition to Parliament

Ngāti Kahungunu brought a petition with 52,672 signatures to Parliament. It calls for a halt to Government plans to change references to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in law. RNZ

The petition came by horse. About 30 horses left Waimarama in Hawke's Bay. They travelled south through Wairarapa to Wellington to deliver it, according to RNZ.

Ngāti Kahungunu chair Bayden Barber said the riders were aged 12 to 75. Most were aged 20 to 30.

In my view, those ages tell a story. They point to an organised iwi group, not just a few representatives.

Only one horse went into the precinct. Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee agreed to allow one horse onto Parliament grounds. The petition was then given to Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Cushla Tangaere-Manuel to present to Parliament.

Its formal title is "Do not remove or amend Te Tiriti Principles or references in legislation". Hawke's Bay Today

The plan comes from the coalition agreements. The review is part of New Zealand First's agreement with National. It would change Treaty of Waitangi references in 19 laws, RNZ reported.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said the Bill for those changes will have its first reading this week. That is like a first vote on whether it moves ahead. It then goes to a select committee, where MPs hear public views. That timing was confirmed as the riders reached Parliament.

The broader context here is timing. The 52,000-signature petition reached the House just before formal debate starts. A petition does not stop a Bill. Presenting it does not require the Government to pause.

Once Tangaere-Manuel presents it, the petition goes on the parliamentary record. It is dealt with through the normal petitions process. The Bill is separate. It will be debated at first reading and, on the minister's account, sent to select committee. That step sets how public submissions work and which committee hears them.

The broader context here is what comes next. The Government must hold its majority through first reading while public pressure runs alongside it. The horse trek from Waimarama, and asking the Speaker for permission, made the handover more visible. It did not change its formal status. It stayed within Parliament's rules, where forecourt access is controlled and agreed in advance. For iwi and opposition MPs, the petition gives a certified number to use in debate and at select committee. For ministers, it comes down to the first vote and then the committee stage. The delivery settles neither.