Mass Protests Erupt in New Zealand Against Controversial Maori Rights Bill.
Tens of thousands of New Zealanders gathered outside Parliament in Wellington on Tuesday to voice their opposition to a proposed law that critics argue would undermine the rights of the Indigenous Maori population.
An estimated 42,000 demonstrators marched against the Treaty Principles Bill, introduced earlier this month by the ACT New Zealand party, a junior partner in the center-right coalition government. The proposed legislation seeks to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi, the 184-year-old founding agreement between Maori tribes and the British Crown.
Opponents of the bill warn that it threatens to reverse decades of progress in empowering Maori communities. The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840, granted Maori tribes significant rights to retain their lands and protect their interests while ceding governance to the British Crown. Over the years, it has served as a cornerstone of legislation and policy, with court rulings and a dedicated Maori tribunal expanding Maori rights and privileges.
Critics argue that the proposed reinterpretation would erode these rights, further marginalizing a population that already faces significant socio-economic challenges. Maori people, who make up around 20% of New Zealand’s 5.3 million residents, experience higher rates of deprivation, incarceration, and poorer health outcomes compared to the general population.
Former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, a conservative figure, voiced concerns that the mere introduction of the bill risks creating division within New Zealand society.
The protest was the culmination of a nine-day march, or hikoi, that began in New Zealand’s northern regions. Thousands joined rallies along the way, traveling on foot and by car to the capital.
Many demonstrators wore traditional Maori attire, including feathered headgear and cloaks, and carried traditional weapons. Others donned T-shirts with the slogan “Toitu te Tiriti” (“Honour the Treaty”) and waved the Maori national flag. The crowd’s vibrant display highlighted their commitment to preserving the Treaty of Waitangi as a fundamental part of New Zealand’s identity.
Although the bill has advanced to its first reading in Parliament, it faces significant hurdles. ACT’s coalition partners, the National Party and New Zealand First, supported the initial reading but have publicly stated they will not back the bill through the remaining stages necessary for it to become law.
On Thursday, during the bill’s first parliamentary debate, legislator Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke from the Te Pati Maori party made a powerful statement by tearing up a copy of the bill and leading her colleagues in a haka, a traditional Maori dance.
Maipi-Clarke’s actions reflect the broader sentiment among Maori leaders and their allies, who view the legislation as a direct attack on Indigenous rights.
The Treaty of Waitangi continues to hold significant cultural and legal importance in New Zealand. It not only serves as a framework for governance but also symbolizes the enduring partnership between Maori tribes and the Crown. Any attempt to reinterpret or diminish its principles is seen by many as a betrayal of this historic agreement.
The proposed bill has sparked intense debate across the country, highlighting deep divisions over the role of Indigenous rights in modern governance. For supporters of the Treaty, the legislation represents a step backward, threatening to unravel years of progress in addressing historical injustices.
As protests continue, New Zealand’s political leaders face mounting pressure to prioritize unity and uphold the principles of equity and partnership enshrined in the Treaty of Waitangi.
Source: Associated Press.
