Let the people set the agenda, say Greens

The Green Party proposes giving all New Zealanders the opportunity to be involved in a national dialogue on the Treaty and constitutional change. The outcome would be a report to the nation on our common views, our differences and where we go next.

"In the past few weeks the Treaty has gone on trial-by-sound-bite," Green Party Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said today. "The proposal we are presenting puts the people in charge of an inquiry and ensures they have the resources, time and information to do the job.

"The Prime Minister has said she is open to constructive ideas to progress the issues. We are offering her solid proposals to give every interested New Zealander an opportunity to give voice to their thoughts, listen to others and help develop a way forward as a nation."

Ms Fitzsimons said the key idea is dialogue in community groups, rather than submissions to a group of experts. "A royal commission or commission of inquiry is not the right process to develop a shared vision of New Zealand's constitutional future and the role of the Treaty.

"Royal commissions have their place but in this case it is not the right mechanism to encourage participation and buy-in. It is a centralised top-down process where people come and talk to it, rather than to each other. It is not a dialogue and it does not provide information for public discussion.

"What we need is a national dialogue about constitutional development and an important first step is a well informed and resourced public discussion on our shared history and how the Treaty impacts on life in New Zealand today. Feedback from this nationwide discussion will set the agenda for the next stage.

The Greens are proposing a process that takes place at the grass roots, in groups of people who already relate to each other in the community. "It should be a process that work colleagues, Rotary clubs, schools, church groups, marae, study groups, sports teams and neighbours can choose to engage with," said Ms Fitzsimons.

She noted there were models for this kind of community dialogue both overseas and in New Zealand. "The attached proposal for a process is not a finished blueprint, but a starting point for discussion. A lot of details still need to be worked out. We welcome feedback.

"There can be no unilateral changes to the Treaty, however there is a role for everyone in discussing its place in a constitution for 21st century New Zealand society.

"This issue is too important to be left to politicians thinking of the next election," said Ms Fitzsimons. "As a nation, we need to be thinking of the next century."

You can also read a factsheet on How it Would Work or Q & A on the process .