Students draw up new constitution

   Otago University students Alice Osman and Louis Chambers speak at the two-day

      conference, where 50 students drew up a written constitution. Photo / Supplied

The Waitangi Tribunal would have binding powers to remedy Treaty breaches in a written constitution drawn up by 50 of the country's brightest young people.

The draft constitution, developed by law, history and communications students at Parliament, also called for New Zealand to become a republic and for four-year parliamentary terms.

Lead facilitator Dean Knight, from Victoria University Law School, said the group made it very clear that the Treaty of Waitangi should be central to a new constitution.

The final document, which is published online today, said: "The tribunal may provide a remedy to a claimant if a breach of a right arises from a breach of the principles of Te Tiriti."

Mr Knight noted that the gathering did not reach a consensus on this clause. "What they're signalling is enhanced powers for the Treaty of Waitangi, moving towards binding recommendations, but not necessarily going as far as striking down legislation."

At present, the tribunal could make recommendations which Government could choose to ignore.

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