Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975

2: Interpretation

You could also call this:

"What special words mean in the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975"

When you read the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975, you need to understand what some words mean. The Act says a historical Treaty claim is a claim made under section 6(1) that happened before 21 September 1992. You will see this date a lot when reading about the Treaty of Waitangi Act.

When you see the word Maori, it means a person of the Maori race of New Zealand, and it includes any descendant of such a person. Private land means any land, or interest in land, held by a person other than the Crown or a Crown entity, which is explained in the Public Finance Act 1989.

The Act also explains what submit means in relation to a historical Treaty claim, which is submitted in accordance with a practice note made by the Tribunal under clause 5(10) of Schedule 2. You will also see the word Treaty, which means the Treaty of Waitangi as set out in English and in Maori in Schedule 1. The Tribunal means the Waitangi Tribunal established under this Act.

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This page was last updated on 26 May 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM435375.

Topics:

Māori affairs > Treaty of WaitangiRights and equality > Anti-discrimination

1: Short Title, or

"The name of this law is the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975."

3: Act to bind Crown, or

"The government must follow the rules of this Act, just like everyone else."

2Interpretation

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
historical Treaty claim means a claim made under section 6(1) that arises from or relates to an enactment referred to in section 6(1)(a) or (b) enacted, or to a policy or practice adopted or an act done or omitted by or on behalf of the Crown, before 21 September 1992
Maori means a person of the Maori race of New Zealand; and includes any descendant of such a person
private land means any land, or interest in land, held by a person other than—
1. the Crown; or
2. a Crown entity within the meaning of the Public Finance Act 1989
submit, in relation to a historical Treaty claim, means submitted in accordance with a practice note made by the Tribunal under clause 5(10) of Schedule 2
Treaty means the Treaty of Waitangi as set out in English and in Maori in Schedule 1
Tribunal means the Waitangi Tribunal established under this Act.

Notes

Section 2 historical Treaty claim: inserted, on 13 December 2006, by section 4 of the Treaty of Waitangi Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 77).
Section 2 private land: inserted, on 20 August 1993, by section 2 of the Treaty of Waitangi Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 92).
Section 2 submit: inserted, on 13 December 2006, by section 4 of the Treaty of Waitangi Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 77).