Peter Williams: We need the full story on the Treaty Principles Bill

So in the end all the submissions made on the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill will be on the Parliamentary record. But many of them, thousands it would seem, will not be read or processed until after the Justice Select Committee has reported to the House.

This still makes a mockery of the process. After all, this was the bill that attracted the most submissions of any in the history of our Parliament. That in itself states unequivocally that this was a discussion or conversation or debate or whatever you like to call it that the country wanted and needed to have.

Mike's Minute: What we've learnt from the Treaty Bill submissions

We should give a shout out, or at least take a few moments, to read Lyric Wairiri-Smith's account of the Treaty Principles Bill submissions.

She works for The Spinoff, and she sat through virtually all of the 80 hours of submissions and cast a series of observations by way of a “50 things I learned” list.

The 37th thing she learned was the lack of media interest.

Chris Lynch: Justice Committee won’t accept Treaty principles bill submissions which describe people as ‘racist’

The Justice Committee has outlined its plans for handling submissions on the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill, including hearings, rules on offensive language, and a policy on anonymous submissions.

The committee expects a significant public response and aims to ensure a fair and measured process.