Jabarkan "Principles of the Treaty" dari Perjanjian Waitangi dalam bahasa melayu

The "Principles of the Treaty" are often mentioned in contemporary politics. They originate from the famous case brought in the High Court by the New Zealand Māori Council (New Zealand Māori Council v. Attorney-General) in 1987. There was great concern at that time that the ongoing restructuring of the New Zealand economy by the then Fourth Labour Government, specifically the transfer of assets from former Government departments to State-owned enterprises. Because the state-owned enterprises were essentially private firms owned by the government, they would prevent assets which had been given by Māori for use by the state from being returned to Māori by the Waitangi Tribunal. The Māori Council sought enforcement of section 9 of the State Owned Enterprises Act 1986 "Nothing in this Act shall permit the Crown to act in a manner that is inconsistent with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi".

The Court of Appeal, in a judgment of its then President Sir Robin Cooke, decided upon the following Treaty principles:

The acquisition of sovereignty in exchange for the protection of rangatiratanga.

The Treaty established a partnership, and imposes on the partners the duty to act reasonably and in good faith.

The freedom of the Crown to govern.

The Crown’s duty of active protection.

The duty of the Crown to remedy past breaches.

Māori to retain rangatiratanga over their resources and taonga and to have all the privileges of citizenship.