Chris Finlayson: Former Treaty Negotiations Minister on the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill

Former Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson told Ryan Bridge that David Seymour has to realise this was never going to a civil debate due to the emotions involved. 

“The debate takes place against the backdrop of what I perceive to be hostile acts towards tangata whenua over the last year in terms of names and treaty principles… it’s a culmination of a number of things.” 

He said he might not have gone into government with the bill on the table if he was still in office. 

Finlayson said he was “appalled” by the behaviour in Parliament from all sides. 

“You don’t act that way in Parliament”. 

The former National MP also believes the party has moved away from its “conservative values”. 

Finlayson said he has had Māori approach him in public confused about who to vote for now as National no longer represents their values. 

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