Cheers as Parliament Buries New Zealand Racial Equalisation Bill 112 Votes to 11

The controversial legislation, which the ACT Party said would end preferential treatment for Māori, was defeated after no other party voted in support

Maori hikoi members congregate at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand on Nov. 19, 2024. Joe Allison/Getty Images

After months of controversy—including a protest march the length of both islands of New Zealand and a record 300,000 written submissions—the ACT Party’s Treaty Principles Bill became a footnote in history on April 10 as every party voted against its second reading.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was absent as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters.