Story perspectives

ACT’s David Seymour Proposes Constitutional Changes to Limit Treaty Influence

8/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

ACT Party leader David Seymour announced a policy to amend New Zealand’s constitutional framework and curb Treaty-related judicial influence.
The policy would add parliamentary sovereignty and rule of law and equality before law to the Constitution Act 1986.
It would limit tikanga to cases directly relevant or expressly authorised by Parliament.
ACT will amend the Legislation Act 2019 to curb presumptions and define rule of law in the Senior Courts Act 2016.

History

Historical Context

The 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, signed by the British Crown and Maori chiefs, forms New Zealand’s constitutional framework. The Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975 established the Waitangi Tribunal, which examined 2,000 claims by 1995, leading to the Constitution Act 1986. In 2024 ACT leader David Seymour seeks to amend the Constitution Act 1986 and Senior Courts Act 2016 to limit tikanga and reaffirm sovereignty.

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Story summary

ACT Party leader David Seymour announced a policy to amend New Zealand’s constitutional framework and curb Treaty-related judicial influence.
The policy would add parliamentary sovereignty and rule of law and equality before law to the Constitution Act 1986.
It would limit tikanga to cases directly relevant or expressly authorised by Parliament.
ACT will amend the Legislation Act 2019 to curb presumptions and define rule of law in the Senior Courts Act 2016.

1 / 2