Treaty Principles Bill protest hikoi

On Tuesday, ACT leader David Seymour briefly emerged from the Beehive to acknowledge the hīkoi protesters, waving at the crowd and taking in the sights for a few minutes before heading back inside. 

Talking to RNZ's Checkpoint, Seymour admitted it was difficult to hear what the protesters were saying but guessed they were expressing opposition to his presence. 

When asked by host Lisa Owen why he was promoting the Treaty Principles Bill, Seymour argued that New Zealand had become a country where people identify more with specific groups than as part of a unified nation.

"There will always be people who are out there making a lot of noise. I think at the end of the day the overwhelming majority of New Zealanders are at work, going to school, and they'll be able to engage in this debate in their own way," Seymour said.

"So you wouldn't want to take this hīkoi as being representative of NZ."

In a follow-up exchange, Seymour responded to questions about the bill's potential impact on Māori rights, rejecting the idea that it would diminish their rights. 

He said: "It will make sure that Māori and every other New Zealander has equal rights," and addressed concerns about special rights for Māori, using the quote, "When you're used to entitlement, equality feels like oppression". 

When pressed on who is entitled under the current system, Seymour clarified that the issue is not individual entitlement, but rather public policies that mandate consultation with Māori in certain areas, such as resource management and public positions.