Aotearoa New Zealand is becoming one of the world’s most diverse societies. Communities from Asia, the Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas have enriched our economy, culture, and national identity. Multiculturalism is now an established feature of modern New Zealand and should be celebrated. Yet, as we embrace this diversity, an important question remains: is our focus on multiculturalism diverting attention away from the country’s unfinished bicultural commitments?
The answer may be no. Multiculturalism and biculturalism are not necessarily competing concepts. Biculturalism reflects the unique relationship between Māori as tangata whenua and the Crown under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Multiculturalism describes how we engage with and value the many cultures that have become part of Aotearoa New Zealand society. One does not have to replace the other.
However. this discussion is particularly important because Aotearoa New Zealand’s reconciliation journey with Māori remains incomplete. Colonisation resulted in substantial loss of Māori land, language, political authority, and cultural practices. While treaty settlements, the revitalisation of te reo Māori, and greater public recognition of Māori perspectives have represented significant progress, evidence continue to show that the impacts of these historical losses continue to influence social, economic, and health outcomes today for Māori.
The debate has become increasingly visible in the current political environment. Since the election of the National-led coalition government in 2023, several policies championed by ACT, and supported to varying degrees within the coalition, have sought to reduce the emphasis on Māori-specific approaches in public policy. Examples include opposition to co-governance arrangements and support for the Treaty Principles Bill, which sought to redefine the principles of the Treaty around concepts such as equal citizenship and parliamentary sovereignty. The bill was introduced as part of the coalition agreement but was ultimately defeated at its second reading in April 2025. Supporters argued it would create greater clarity and equality before the law, while critics believed it would weaken established interpretations of Te Tiriti and diminish Māori rights and interests.
More broadly, critics of the government’s direction argue that some policy changes represent a retreat from efforts to address Māori disadvantage and honour Treaty-based obligations. Supporters contend that Aotearoa New Zealand should move toward a model in which public policy is based primarily on universal citizenship rather than ethnicity. This disagreement sits at the heart of one of the most significant constitutional and social debates facing Aotearoa New Zealand today.
Against this backdrop, we need to remember that our increasing focus on being multicultural cannot mean we lose sight of the fact that we still haven’t completed our journey of being bicultural. While Aotearoa New Zealand should be welcoming and inclusive of all cultures, it also has a unique responsibility arising from its own history. The relationship between Māori, as tangata whenua, and the Crown is not merely one among many. It is foundational to the nation’s history, constitutional arrangements, and identity.
A mature multicultural society should have the confidence to hold both ideas at once: to celebrate the diversity of all who now call Aotearoa New Zealand home, while recognising that reconciliation with Māori remains a distinct and ongoing obligation. A commitment to one should never come at the expense of the other. Indeed, it is only by honouring both that Aotearoa New Zealand can build a genuinely inclusive future.