New Zealand Government Proposes Amendment to Indigenous Policy, Large-Scale Protests by Māori | WPN World People News

The ACT Party of New Zealand recently proposed amendments to the Treaty of Waitangi, causing concerns among Māori people about potential harm to their rights. In response, they took to the streets in large-scale protests.

In November, the leader of the ACT Party presented a proposal in Parliament to amend the interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi, which was signed in 1840 by the British Crown and over 500 Māori chiefs. The ACT Party believes that some provisions of the treaty no longer align with modern societal needs. They aim to revise it to change the current dual political system, where Māori and New Zealand citizens have different political rights, and to end "racial division." This bill has sparked strong criticism from Māori Party members, who protested several times during debates. Some even tore up the bill and expressed their anger through the traditional haka dance during the vote.

On November 19, over 35,000 people participated in a protest march. Māori people, dressed in traditional attire, wearing feather headdresses and cloaks, and carrying traditional weapons, performed the haka while holding signs reading "End the Bill." They marched to the Wellington Parliament to protest the bill, which they believe undermines Māori rights. The protest stretched nearly 2 kilometers. The Māori Queen led the march and entered New Zealand's Parliament building, the Beehive. Her spokesperson, Ngira Simmons, stated that the Queen aims to lead the nation towards unity and dialogue but will not accept unilateral destruction of the treaty.

The Treaty of Waitangi, which has a 184-year history, addresses issues of sovereignty, governance, the relationship between the government and Māori people, and the rights of tribes to retain land and protect their interests. The bill has passed its first reading. However, the National Party and New Zealand First, part of the ruling coalition, have stated that they will no longer support the bill. Critics argue that the ACT Party's proposal fundamentally undermines the Treaty of Waitangi and its interpretation, potentially exacerbating ethnic divisions within the country.