RNZ
Parliament’s first reading debate for the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill was an electric affair, but with a few surprisingly lacklustre speeches.
The bill’s sponsor David Seymour was enthusiastic; Labour, Green and Te Pāti Māori MPs were outraged, angry, and even despairing. National MPs seemed bent on mitigation and damage control.
Much coverage has focussed on the protest that followed the speeches, but the speeches themselves were interesting. Below are photos and quotes from a few of them.