The proposed Gene Technology Bill poses significant threats to Aotearoa’s GE-free status and the rights guaranteed under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The lack of meaningful consultation with Māori, the disregard for kaitiakitanga (guardianship), and the prioritisation of corporate interests over indigenous sovereignty make this a bill that demands urgent attention.

A Bill That Ignores Māori Voices

According to a regulatory impact statement from MBIE, officials did not analyse a broad range of options for protecting Māori rights and interests under Te Tiriti. Instead, they worked within a narrow scope dictated by the Coalition Government’s objectives, which prioritised enabling gene technology while only “considering” Māori rights.

The Bill fails to honour Te Tiriti, ignoring the deep cultural, environmental, and spiritual ties that Māori have with the whenua (land) and taonga species. Whakapapa (genealogy) plays a critical role in Māori worldviews, and genetic modification disrupts these relationships. Yet, officials acknowledged that many Māori oppose the Bill but proceeded with it anyway.

Who Benefits from This Bill?

The primary beneficiaries of this deregulation are corporations in the biotech sector. The Bill is designed to lower regulatory barriers, making it easier for businesses to conduct genetic modification research and commercialisation. While officials claim the changes could bring social, environmental, and economic benefits, they admit these benefits are speculative and may lack social licence, especially when it comes to food production and farming.

Limited Consultation, Ignored Concerns

Despite the Bill’s significant implications, formal public consultation and engagement with Māori was extremely limited. A small Māori Focus Group was consulted, but their role was advisory only—they had no decision-making power. Even Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK), the government’s Māori advisory body, objected to the approach and was ignored.

Take Action: Make Your Voice Heard

This Bill is being pushed through at the expense of Māori rights, environmental integrity, and public trust. Ngā Toki Whakarururanga has created valuable resources (linked below) to help people understand the issue from a Te Ao Māori perspective and write submissions opposing the Bill before the deadline on 17 February 2025.

Huge thanks to Ngā Toki Whakarururanga for creating these critical resources. By standing together, we can protect Aotearoa’s food sovereignty, uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and ensure a future free from unchecked genetic modification.

The Gene Technology Bill: A Threat to Te Tiriti o Waitangi

The proposed Gene Technology Bill poses significant threats to Aotearoa’s GE-free status and the rights guaranteed under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.