Maori Party MP, Te Ururoa Flavell, is proud that the first bill the Maori Party has submitted in the 50th Parliament was the Oaths and Declarations (Upholding the Treaty of Waitangi) Amendment Bill.

"Here we are on this first day of Parliament, the day after Waitangi Day, and the first thing on our agenda is the treaty," said Mr Flavell.

"If our Bill had been drawn, it would be the start of a process that will lead to having the Government committed to fulfilling its obligations as a treaty partner," he adds.

"In addition to the words of the oath, my bill will allow MP's to elect to state that they will uphold the Treaty of Waitangi - New Zealand's founding document."

"Although the Bill was not drawn today, there will be other ballots and we are confident that one day, this Bill will be on everyone's agenda as just one of the approaches we need to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi.