Mike Butler: Is treaty confusion deliberate?

A stumble by incoming Prime Minister Chris Hipkins in response to a request from a reporter to name all three of the Treaty of Waitangi articles during his first press conference illustrates the confusion that extends to the highest level.

After an um and an ah, he said "We have Kawanatanga, Tino Rangatiratanga, and, actually no, I can't remember the other, sorry." (1)

Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern faced the same question in 2019 and could only say “kawanatanga”, and “tino rangatiratanga” after prompting from Labour MP Willie Jackson.