Select committee members are MPs chosen from all parties in proportion to their representation in parliament.
Their job is to look in detail at the bill and recommend changes to improve it before it goes to the second reading in the House.
In this case the Justice Committee will be looking at the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill.
A submission is a written presentation (in Te Reo Māori or English) of views, opinions and experiences on the matter that the select committee is considering.
In this case the Justice Committee is considering the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill.
Submissions can be made online through the Justice Committee's web form, or on paper. You can't email a submission or contact the committee members directly.
Hard copies of submissions can be sent by Freepost to:
Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill Committee Secretariat,
Justic Committee,
Parliament Buildings, Wellington
Your submission will be published on the parliamentary website once it is released by the committee.
Be aware that your personal details will be published if you put them in the body of your submission.
Anyone of any age can make a submission. You don't have to be a New Zealand citizen.
You can make a submissions as an individual or a group. Individuals can make one submission each. A group is an organisation or business - not just you and your besties!
First you need to make a written submission. You can tick a box on the submission form to request an opportunity to make your submission in person as well (an oral submission).
If you're invited to make an oral submission, you'll have a chance to reinforce your written submission directly to the committee members.
The committee won't have time to hear from everyone in person.
Structure your submission with an introduction, your stated position (for or against the bill), your key arguments, any recommendations, and a conclusion.
Give yourself plenty of time to think and to write.
Remember! Submissions close Tuesday 7 January!
Bringing your own lived experience and values will make a powerful submission. Try to put things in your own words as much as possible.
Templates are really helpful, but it is more effective to read the template and then write your own submission using some of the information provided.
Use AI with caution!
Anything not related to the bill will be disregarded, wasting your time and making it less likely the committee will read your submission.
If you mention any data or research, you need to say where you got it from.
Your submission doesn't have to be a novel. Focus on making a few points well, rather than trying to cover everything. Shorter submissions are more likely to be read in full.
Any submissions considered defamatory or offensive will be rejected.
1. Introduce yourself - Include any information about yourself that is relevant to the bill. This might include your family, life or work background that makes your opinion important.
2. Write your introduction - A few sentences to clearly state your position on the bill, and summarise your reasons.
3. Body of submission - The select committee wants to know why you think the way you do. What would the introduction of this legislation mean for you? What is at stake? You could use the reasons in your introduction as headings and write about each one. Or you could use specific clauses from the bill as headings and write about each of those.
4. Make recommendations - If you have any recommendations, list them clearly, even if you have mentioned or discussed them in the body of your submission.
5. Write a conclusion - A few sentences to restate your position on the bill and your reasons.
Action Station - online or in person submission parties
*Green Party - Quick Submission Guide
Amnesty International - Template
Waiako Books - Submission Template
Common Grace - Jotform - Submission Template
Parliament - How to make a submission
*We're not endorsing any political party - it's just a really good guide!
The Government has timed this submission process right in the middle of the busiest time of the year for people!
Don't miss out having your say! Get your submission in before Christmas so it doesn't get lost in the chaos!
Submissions close on Tuesday 7 January 2025 - right when you'll be recovering from the festive season.
