Dale Husband Professor Paul Moon Calls for Clarity on Treaty’s So-Called “Fourth Article”Role Funding:Leading historian and Treaty scholar Professor Paul Moon is calling on the Waitangi Tribunal to clearly and publicly state its position on the so-called “Fourth Article” of the Treaty of Waitangi, arguing that it has no historical or legal foundation in the original Treaty texts. Professor Moon says the continued reference to a Fourth Article – often cited as guaranteeing freedom of religion and belief – has persisted in public discourse despite not appearing in either the English or Te Reo Māori versions signed in 1840. “But repetition doesn’t make something historically true.”The so-called Fourth Article is commonly linked to oral assurances given by missionaries during Treaty discussions, particularly around religious freedom. Moon warns that when government agencies and public bodies rely on the Fourth Article in policy statements or official communications, it risks undermining both legal clarity and public understanding. Professor Moon says it is crucial for the Waitangi Tribunal to explicitly clarify its stance on the Fourth Article, noting that ongoing silence leaves room for uncertainty and inconsistent interpretation.