The Spirit and The Word is a documentary about the Treaty Of Waitangi, narrated by Phillip Sherry and written by Alwyn Owen.
An unidentified man says he feels the treaty celebrations 'stink of hypocrisy' and until the treaty is ratified it should not be celebrated.
The history of the treaty is explored, and historian Ian Wards talks about the events around the signing of the treaty. The three clauses of the treaty are examined by historian Dr Allan Ward of La Trobe University.
The Māori translation and meaning of the clauses are also discussed. George Parekōwhai, a teacher with the Correspondence School talks about why he thinks his ancestors signed the treaty. Allan Ward gives his opinion of why Māori signed the treaty.
Ken Keith, an expert on constitutional law, examines how the treaty stands up legally. The land-grabs, confiscations, and land wars of the 19th century seemed to override the treaty, but the spirit seemed to endure.
Actuality of Queen Elizabeth speaking to the Māori people at Waitangi in 1963, about the obligations of the Crown under the Treaty.
Mr [Jock] McEwen of the Department of Māori Affairs comments about this. Eddie McLeod, Secretary of the New Zealand Māori Council, says most Māori want the treaty ratified, at least in part. Ken Keith comments about the difficulties around this.
Three Māori groups are pressing for ratification: Tom Poata, Secretary of the Māori Organisation on Human Rights gives their position; Te Kotahitanga representatives declined to appear on the programme. The aims of the Māori youth organisation Ngā Tamatoa are outlined. Poata Eruera and Vinnie Raureti are interviewed, and explain why they believe Waitangi Day should be a day of mourning until land issues are addressed and the treaty honoured.
Minister of Māori Affairs Duncan MacIntyre says he doesn't believe anything will be gained by ratifying the treaty. Dr Allan Ward gives the idea qualified support, if it meant Māori would be given more government support.
Eddie McLeod says most Māori want to see Waitangi Day declared a national holiday. Duncan MacIntyre disagrees, but Eddie McLeod predicts that employees will bring pressure to bear on employers to make it a holiday anyway. He says the government is frightened of creating a national Māori identity. He notes 80 percent of Māori are in the lower socio-economic class, and wonders if they are enjoying all the rights and privileges they were guaranteed by the treaty.