Tens of thousands of Maori protesters march in one of New Zealand's biggest ever demonstrations over proposed bill that will strip them of 'special rights'
New Zealand has seen one of the biggest demonstrations in its history after thousands of Maori protesters took to the street in opposition to a proposed bill.
New Zealand has seen one of the biggest demonstrations in its history after thousands of Maori protesters took to the street in opposition to a proposed bill.
The streets of Wellington, New Zealands capital, roared with the booming chants of the haka as an estimated 42,000 people demonstrated against a potential new law which could redefine the nations founding treaty.
Demonstration in New Zealand have been growing due to a push from the right wing ACT party - a junior coalition party in the countrys centre-right government - to radically redefine how the Treaty of Waitangi is interpreted.
The treaty was signed over 100 years ago in 1840 between more than 500 Maori chiefs and the crown and is instrumental in upholding Maori rights.
Supporters of the bill say it does not reflect the Oceanic countrys modern multicultural society.
But critics - including some of New Zealands most respected lawyers - see it as an attempt to strip long-agreed rights from the countrys 900,000 Maori population.
The bill does not have the support of ACTs senior coalition partner - the conservative National Party - and is therefore unlikely to pass.
Nevertheless, its mere introduction has triggered one of New Zealands largest protests in its history.
The streets of Wellington, New Zealands capital, roared with the booming chants of the haka as an estimated 42,000 people demonstrated against a potential new law which could redefine the nations founding treaty
In Wellington, bare-chested men draped in traditional feather cloaks were joined by horse riders waving the red, white and black Maori fla
Thousands of protesters took the street in one of the largest demonstrations in New Zealands history
Many demonstrators arrived in Wellington after a nine-day protest march that began hundreds of kilometres away at New Zealands northern tip.
In Wellington, bare-chested men draped in traditional feather cloaks were joined by horse riders waving the red, white and black Maori flag.
Children marched alongside their parents bearing distinctive full-face Maori moko tattoos and clutching ceremonial wooden weapons.
After it was presented for debate in parliament last week, 22-year-old Maori Party MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke took to her feet in the chamber and ripped the bill in half before she launched into a haka.
She joined the crowds of protesters gathered on the lawns Tuesday outside New Zealands beehive-shaped parliament building.
Speaking to the crowds she said: I may have been suspended for 24 hours and not let into the gates of the debating chambers, but the next day I showed up outside the steps with a hundred thousand of my people, marching with our heads held high and our flags waving with pride.
We are the king makers, we are the sovereign people of this land and the world is watching us here.
The Maori Queen - a symbolic leader who is the chief of several tribes - was also in attendance.
Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō was crowned queen just this September following the death of her father.
Ngira Simmonds, a key advisor to the queen, said: Its not the best way to have a conversation. We will not accept unilateral change to a treaty that involves two parties.
At the centre of the controversy is government minister and outspoken leader of the ACT Party David Seymour.
Seymour has long railed against affirmative action policies designed to help Maori, who remain far more likely to die early, live in poverty, or wind up in prison.
Demonstrators outside New Zealands beehive-shaped parliament. Many demonstrators arrived in Wellington after a nine-day protest march that began hundreds of kilometres away at New Zealands northern tip
Members of the Maori community and their supporters march in a protest rally. The Maori Queen - a symbolic leader who is the chief of several tribes - was also in attendance
After it was presented for debate in parliament last week, 22-year-old Maori Party MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke (pictured) took to her feet in the chamber, ripped the bill in half, and launched into a haka
At the centre of the controversy is government minister and outspoken leader of the ACT Party David Seymour (pictured). Seymour has long railed against affirmative action policies designed to help Maori
His bill would look to wind back these so-called special rights.
Incumbent Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has voiced his opposition to Seymours bill, meaning it is all but doomed to fail when it comes to a parliamentary vote.
But former conservative prime minister Jenny Shipley said just putting it forward threatened to divide New Zealand in a way that I havent lived through in my adult life.
Seen as the countrys founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 to bring peace between 540 Maori chiefs and colonising British forces.
Its principles today underpin efforts to foster partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous New Zealanders and protect the interests of the Maori community.
The anniversary of the treatys signing remains a national holiday.
