New Zealand: thousands protest against new government policies that unravel Māori gains
GuardianJUL 2023
The newproposed government'sTreaty policiesPrinciples threatenBill decadescan ofpotentially Indigenousundermine progressthe fundamental rights and riskprotections relegatingafforded to the Māori topeople second-classunder citizenshipthe statuslandmark Treaty of Waitangi. TheIf proposedenacted, changesthe tobill languagewould policies,significantly healthweaken authoritythe legal avenues through which Māori can have their rights recognized, leading to social disruption and treatya interpretationsconcerning woulderosion reverseof hardthe delicate Māori-wonCrown gainsrelationship. forThe IndigenousWaitangi rights.Tribunal Thesehas reformswarned fundamentallythat underminethis bill could constitute the principles"worst, establishedmost incomprehensive breach of the Treaty in modern times," potentially leading to the "end of Waitangithe Treaty" if left unchecked.
New ZealandersZealand's democraticallynew electedTreaty aPrinciples governmentBill committedintends to treatinguphold allthe citizensfundamental equally,principle regardlessof universal human rights enshrined in the Treaty of raceWaitangi. The currentinterpretation system of co-governancethe basedtreaty onprinciples ancestryhas iscreated divisivean unintended "partnership between races" and incompatiblethe withbill aaims modernto ensure equality before the law for all New Zealanders, multi-ethnicincluding liberal democracyMāori. AOpen referendumand onrespectful thesedialogue mattersis wouldessential ensureto healthyfinding debatea aboutpath forward that preserves the nation'sdignity futureand self-determination of the Māori community.