Treaty Debate: A Long Conversation – Constitutional Review

Join constitutional review co-chair Professor John Burrows and commentators Nin Tomas and Claudia Geiringer for this second debate in Te Papa’s annual Treaty Debates series.

The forthcoming constitutional review covers everything from the size of Parliament to the length of its term. It also focuses on Crown-Māori relationship matters, including the Māori seats.

A significant matter is the role of the Treaty in constitutional arrangements, and whether New Zealand should have a written constitution.

Speakers:

- Emeritus Professor John Burrows QC
Professor John Burrows is co-chair of the constitutional review. Professor Burrows was Professor of Law at the University of Canterbury for some 30 years, and served on the Law Commission from 2007. He has been a barrister of the High Court, and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2005.

- Claudia Geiringer
Claudia Geiringer is a Senior Lecturer at the Victoria University of Wellington School of Law, an Associate Director of the New Zealand Centre for Public Law, and a barrister specialising in constitutional law and human rights.

- Associate Professor Nin Tomas
Nin Tomas is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Auckland. Her PhD thesis ‘Key concepts of tikanga Māori (Māori customary law) in Taitokerau past and present’ provides the basis for an indigenous system of modern law in Aotearoa New Zealand.

About the Treaty Debates:
The Treaty Debates are organised by Te Papa in partnership with the New Zealand Centre for Public Law at Victoria University of Wellington. They are hosted by Te Papa’s Dr Claudia Orange, a renowned Treaty of Waitangi scholar.

This year’s debates are being recorded by Radio New Zealand. Please arrive on time – latecomers will not be admitted.

Broadcast information:
This debate is being broadcast on Radio New Zealand National at 4pm, Sunday 5 February and 9pm, Tuesday 7 February. It is available online after the first broadcast.

Listen to the Treaty Debates on Radio New Zealand’s website.