Massive Protest Erupts in New Zealand Over Treaty Principles Bill
More than 35,000 people participated in a nine-day peaceful protest (hīkoi) that culminated in a massive demonstration outside New Zealand’s parliament, opposing a controversial bill that seeks to reinterpret the country’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi.
The bill, introduced by David Seymour of the Act political party, aims to legally redefine the principles of the 1840 treaty between British colonizers and Māori people. Seymour, who has Māori ancestry, argues that the treaty’s current interpretation has created racial divisions rather than unity. He claims the bill would ensure equal rights for all New Zealanders, regardless of their ancestral background.
However, the proposed legislation has sparked intense controversy. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has already stated that the bill will not pass into law, despite being part of the same coalition as Act. He believes that 184 years of historical discussion cannot be rewritten with a single legislative stroke.
The hīkoi drew participants from across New Zealand, with many draped in the colors of the Māori flag. The protest march through Wellington was so large that it reportedly created the city’s busiest morning for its rail network. The Māori Queen Ngā Wai hono i te pō led the delegation to the parliamentary grounds.
Protesters expressed deep concerns about potential erosion of indigenous rights. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, co-leader of the Māori Party, argued that true equality cannot exist while indigenous people are treated as “less than” others. She described the bill as an “absolute attempt to divide” New Zealand.
Participants like Stan and Pamela Lingman emphasized that the protest was for all New Zealanders, regardless of ethnicity. Rose Raharuhi Spicer, a grandmother from New Zealand’s northernmost settlement, highlighted the significance of the protest for future generations, calling it her “grandchildren’s legacy.”
The protest drew mixed reactions. While many supported the Māori stance, some New Zealanders like Barbara Lecomte argued for a more integrated approach, suggesting that all nationalities should work together with equal rights.
The demonstration was particularly powerful, featuring a traditional haka (dance) performed in parliament that went viral and symbolized resistance to the proposed bill. Protest organizers encouraged widespread participation, teaching participants the haka’s words and moves.
This hīkoi echoes a historic 1975 protest from the same village, which originally focused on land rights. The current protest represents a continued struggle for indigenous rights and recognition in New Zealand, a country often considered a world leader in supporting indigenous populations.
While the bill is unlikely to pass, the massive demonstration underscores the deep emotional and historical significance of the Treaty of Waitangi and the ongoing dialogue about racial equality and indigenous rights in New Zealand.
