Wind up the Waitangi Tribunal once historical claims are done
ACT leader David Seymour announced on 10 September 2026 that an ACT government would wind up the Waitangi Tribunal once its historical claims work is finished, and would end its power to inquire into the policies and conduct of the government of the day.
What it does
Under the policy, the tribunal's jurisdiction would be limited to historical claims lodged before 1 September 2008, the existing statutory deadline for lodging historical claims. ACT would amend the tribunal's governing legislation so it is automatically disestablished once that historical work is complete, and would wind back its funding as the caseload shrinks. The tribunal's contemporary jurisdiction, which covers urgent and kaupapa inquiries into current Crown policy, would end. Seymour said the party supports completing full and final historical Treaty settlements as a pragmatic way to resolve past injustices, and has previously described the tribunal as increasingly activist.
The response
Labour's Māori-Crown relations spokesperson Willie Jackson called it a ridiculous policy and said the constant undermining and disrespect of the tribunal must stop. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon did not endorse ACT's plan, saying the government listens to the tribunal and has strong Treaty obligations, and that the best way to deliver on those obligations is by improving outcomes for Māori. Te Pāti Māori campaigns for the opposite position, wanting the tribunal's recommendations made binding on the Crown.
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Key milestones
ACT sets out plan to wind up the Waitangi Tribunal
David Seymour released ACT's Treaty policy in Auckland, promising to amend the tribunal's governing legislation so it is automatically disestablished once historical claims are completed. Claims lodged before 1 September 2008 would still be heard; claims lodged after that date would fall outside the tribunal's remit. The tribunal would also lose its contemporary jurisdiction to inquire into current government policy and conduct, which ACT argues cuts across the mandate a government receives from voters. Funding would be reduced as the caseload shrinks. Seymour said the party supports completing full and final historical Treaty settlements as a pragmatic way to resolve past injustices, and acknowledged the tribunal had made an important contribution in addressing historical grievances.
Labour calls it ridiculous; Luxon declines to endorse it
Labour's Māori-Crown relations spokesperson Willie Jackson described the policy as ridiculous and said the constant undermining and disrespect of the tribunal must stop. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stopped short of backing ACT's plan, saying the government listens to the tribunal and has strong Treaty obligations, and that the best way to deliver on those obligations is by improving outcomes for Māori. Te Pāti Māori has campaigned for the opposite change, wanting Waitangi Tribunal recommendations made binding on the Crown. Independent MP Tākuta Ferris was reported describing ACT's policy as treason.
Sources
- ACT sets out plan to wind up Waitangi Tribunal (RNZ) ↗
- ACT vows to abolish Waitangi Tribunal when historical claims done (1News) ↗
- Act wants to abolish Waitangi Tribunal once final historical claim settled (NZ Herald) ↗