“Many of the results tell a different story to the narrative of division we have been fed over the past two years,” Takitimu said.
“The majority of New Zealanders value Maori culture and traditions, care about the real histories of Aotearoa, and want respectful discussions about Te Tiriti,” she said.
Her Human Rights Commission bio identifies her as an indigenous rights lawyer with a Masters in Law (Hons) working for constitutional change.
In other words, she is an activist employed by a nominally independent government-funded-and-staffed body.
A total of 1079 people aged 18 and above were surveyed, nationwide, from December 12 to 25 last year, by Horizon Research.
This survey masquerades as an opinion poll but is actually designed to sway public opinion. Takitimu confirmed in her media release that it was a consciousness-raising exercise.
“We want people to share these numbers far and wide,” she wrote, “even the areas where we can do better. Let’s have a discussion about how political rhetoric and misinformation moves us, and how we can all have more constructive discussions in future -- tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti.”
The most obvious attempt to sway opinion appeared in the section headlined “Awareness of the treaty/te tiriti and human rights”
There is a difference between what the Horizon report says and what Takitimu says it says.
Horizon’s poll shows declining agreement and increasing disagreement on treaty issues and greater interest in simply having a strong sense of belonging.
Treaty issues have a lower priority than having “a more united and cohesive country” in which “the economy gets better and people have access to quality services like education and health”, as the Horizon report noted on page 4.
The poll noted that comparisons with results of earlier versions of this poll done in November 2023 and December 2024 show increasing disagreement and decreasing agreement with questions such as these:
The biggest decline (68% in 2024 to 63% in 2025) was shown in response to the question which says “Working through Treaty/ Te Tiriti issues requires more careful listening and understanding and less political rhetoric”.
The Horizon poll puts strong sense of belonging at the top of a list of what is important for New Zealand:
Who to trust for accurate information on the treaty?
Forty five percent trusted the Waitangi Tribunal, 36% the National Library, books and websites 33%, the Human Rights Commission 31%, and teachers on 24% (yes, that adds up to 169%).
Takitimu hails the finding that the Waitangi Tribunal was the most trusted source of accurate information on the treaty as a win, but I see 45% figure as a fail that indicates damage to the tribunal’s reputation.
Takitimu complains about misinformation but it looks like most of the misinformation is coming from her and the Waitangi Tribunal.
If the Human Right Commission was trying to undo the treaty principles debate sparked by ACT Party leader David Seymour, the latest treaty poll has proved that most of us are not that into treaty stuff because more urgent matters are calling.
Her Human Rights Commission bio identifies her as an indigenous rights lawyer with a Masters in Law (Hons) working for constitutional change.
In other words, she is an activist employed by a nominally independent government-funded-and-staffed body.
A total of 1079 people aged 18 and above were surveyed, nationwide, from December 12 to 25 last year, by Horizon Research.
This survey masquerades as an opinion poll but is actually designed to sway public opinion. Takitimu confirmed in her media release that it was a consciousness-raising exercise.
“We want people to share these numbers far and wide,” she wrote, “even the areas where we can do better. Let’s have a discussion about how political rhetoric and misinformation moves us, and how we can all have more constructive discussions in future -- tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti.”
The most obvious attempt to sway opinion appeared in the section headlined “Awareness of the treaty/te tiriti and human rights”
94% (3,614,000 adults) are aware that A treaty is an agreement between nations.This is not gathering unbiased data. This is a deductive argument which links premises to reach a foregone conclusion in an attempt to manipulate.
89% (3,440,000 adults) said they are aware that The right to self-determination is a fundamental human right.
88% (3,382,000 adults) are aware that the Treaty/Te Tiriti relates to people’s human rights in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
At 72% (2,771,000 adults), lowest awareness was for The tino rangatiratanga that was guaranteed to Māori in Te Tiriti aligns closely with the human right to self-determination.
There is a difference between what the Horizon report says and what Takitimu says it says.
Horizon’s poll shows declining agreement and increasing disagreement on treaty issues and greater interest in simply having a strong sense of belonging.
Treaty issues have a lower priority than having “a more united and cohesive country” in which “the economy gets better and people have access to quality services like education and health”, as the Horizon report noted on page 4.
The poll noted that comparisons with results of earlier versions of this poll done in November 2023 and December 2024 show increasing disagreement and decreasing agreement with questions such as these:
The signing of the Treaty / Te Tiriti is a significant event in New Zealand’s history and an important part of our national identity.Agree or disagree responses to these four questions showed agreement declining between 2024 and 2025.
By enabling non-Māori to settle peacefully in this country, the Treaty / Te Tiriti is a document that supports belonging for everyone in New Zealand.
Working through Treaty/ Te Tiriti issues requires more careful listening and understanding and less political rhetoric.
The spirit and intent of the Treaty/Te Tiriti can help guide us in how we move forward as a country from here.
The biggest decline (68% in 2024 to 63% in 2025) was shown in response to the question which says “Working through Treaty/ Te Tiriti issues requires more careful listening and understanding and less political rhetoric”.
The Horizon poll puts strong sense of belonging at the top of a list of what is important for New Zealand:
• 93% having a strong sense of belonging is important. • 91% that human rights are protected in New Zealand’s laws and constitution.To get the treaty as the top issue of importance, Takitimu rearranged the list by reversing the percentage order, putting the lowest concern, about the treaty, at the top:
• 87% everyone knows the country’s history.
• 83% that there are positive Crown/Maori relationships.
• 79% agree with protecting and celebrating Maori culture, language and identity.
• 78% respectful discussion of Te Tiriti.
• 74% harmonious race relations through honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• 70% that Te Tiriti is protected in our laws and constitution.
• 70% that Te Tiriti is protected in our laws and constitution. • 78% respectful discussion of Te Tiriti.This enabled a headline like “Most New Zealanders back Te Tiriti” that Takitimu knew that would be regurgitated in publications across the country.
• 87% everyone knows the country’s history.
• 83% positive Crown/Māori relationships.
• 79% protecting and celebrating Māori culture, language and identity.
• 74% harmonious race relations through honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• 91% that human rights are protected in New Zealand’s laws and constitution.
• 93% that everyone feels a sense of belonging.
Who to trust for accurate information on the treaty?
Forty five percent trusted the Waitangi Tribunal, 36% the National Library, books and websites 33%, the Human Rights Commission 31%, and teachers on 24% (yes, that adds up to 169%).
Takitimu hails the finding that the Waitangi Tribunal was the most trusted source of accurate information on the treaty as a win, but I see 45% figure as a fail that indicates damage to the tribunal’s reputation.
Takitimu complains about misinformation but it looks like most of the misinformation is coming from her and the Waitangi Tribunal.
If the Human Right Commission was trying to undo the treaty principles debate sparked by ACT Party leader David Seymour, the latest treaty poll has proved that most of us are not that into treaty stuff because more urgent matters are calling.
3 comments:
In-CRED-ible!
Do please listen to this commentary.... Fractional Descendants etc...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUOm6s_UqJU
An excellent example of 'loaded' item design.
An 1840 treaty-that-isn't (well, not by international law anyway) being sold as a human rights instrument with a focus on self-determination? Who's buying? Gimme a break!
Post a Comment
Thank you for joining the discussion. Breaking Views welcomes respectful contributions that enrich the debate. Please ensure your comments are not defamatory, derogatory or disruptive. We appreciate your cooperation.