Māori Protests Erupt as New Zealand Parliament Opens
Māori Protests Erupt as New Zealand Parliament Opens
The Facts
The new National Party-led coalition government has pledged to review affirmative action policies, reduce Māori language use in government departments, and reassess Treaty of Waitangi references in legislation.Hundreds of New Zealanders set off on a nine-day March to Wellington Monday, protesting the Treaty Principles Bill—now in parliament—that seeks to reinterpret the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi. Under the United for Te Tiriti banner, they want the government to “kill the bill.”
Te Pati Māori parliamentarians broke with protocol by first pledging allegiance to their descendants and the Treaty of Waitangi before swearing the mandatory oath to King Charles III.Organized by the Toitū te Tiriti (Honour the Treaty) advocacy group, the march began in Cape Rēinga in northern New Zealand, with the protesters looking to converge before parliament next Tuesday. As they move south, the protesters have scheduled rallies in towns like Auckland.
The Spin
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New Zealand's new Treaty Principles Bill intends to uphold the fundamental principle of universal human rights enshrined in the Treaty of Waitangi. The interpretation of the treaty principles has created an unintended "partnership between races" and the bill aims to ensure equality before the law for all New Zealanders, including Māori. Open and respectful dialogue is essential to finding a path forward that preserves the dignity and self-determination of the Māori community.
