The Spinoff
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care has concluded, and its comprehensive report, rich with references to te Tiriti o Waitangi and its guiding principles, presents a significant challenge for the coalition government, which is currently reviewing the inclusion of these principles in legislation. How the government will navigate and implement the report’s recommendations, if at all, promises to be a matter of intense public interest and scrutiny.
As part of its terms of reference, the commission was directed to apply te Tiriti o Waitangi and its principles to its work. The first paragraph on the inquiry’s website discusses its commitment to te Tiriti o Waitangi, acknowledging the disproportionate representation of Māori in care and stating that the inquiry was underpinned by te Tiriti.
