New Zealand Māori Begin March To Capital Against Treaty Principles Bill
New Zealand Māori Begin March To Capital Against Treaty Principles Bill
The Facts
Some 200 people set off on a nine-day march to the capital of New Zealand on Monday to protest the proposed Treaty Principles Bill that would narrow the interpretation of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi between Māori chiefs and the British Crown.
They departed from Te Rerenga Wairua/Cape Rēinga in the far north that morning, planning to reach Wellington by Tuesday next week. Rallies are scheduled to take place in towns and cities, including Auckland, as they move south.
The Spin
If enacted, this bill will undermine the fundamental rights and protections afforded to the Māori people under the landmark Treaty of Waitangi while significantly weakening the legal avenues through which Māori can have their rights recognized, leading to social disruption and a concerning erosion of the delicate Māori-Crown relationship. This bill is likely to constitute the worst and most comprehensive breach of the Treaty in modern times.
The Treaty Principles Bill intends to uphold the fundamental principle of universal human rights enshrined in the Treaty of Waitangi — which has long been misinterpreted as creating a "partnership between races" — and 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 every child growing up in the country.
