One of New Zealand's ruling parties wants to introduce changes to the country's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi of 1840, which is considered fundamental to race relations in the country. In parliament, the Maori Party, the indigenous people of New Zealand, disrupted the proceedings and performed a traditional haka dance. A peaceful protest against the treaty amendments is also taking place across the country.
On Thursday, the first reading of the bill in the New Zealand Parliament began, on the basis of which changes were to be introduced in the founding document of New Zealand – the Treaty of Waitangi, which was signed in 1840 between the British and Maori. This treaty is considered fundamental to race relations in the country. Its main assumptions were introduced to right the wrongs done to the indigenous population during colonialism. However, some argue that the treaty discriminates against non-Indigenous New Zealand citizens.
Changes to the Treaty of Waitangi were proposed by the ACT party, which is part of the center-right government coalition. Supporters of change say a change to the definition of Treaty of Waitangi rules is needed. ACT claims that the result of the 19th century document is the racial division of the country and even discrimination against people who are not indigenous to the country.
Under the principles set out in the Treaty of Waitangi, Maori were promised extensive rights to retain their lands and protect their interests in return for handing over power to the British. The amendment proposed by ACT assumes that the rights apply not only to Maori, but to all New Zealanders.
Traditional Maori dance in Parliament
Maori, in turn, claim that the treaty changes are controversial and undermine the rights of the indigenous population, which constitutes about 20 percent of the population. New Zealand's population.
As MPs gathered on Thursday for a preliminary vote on treaty amendments, Māori Party MPs stood up and began the haka, a traditional Maori dance made famous by the New Zealand rugby team. The dance in parliament was started by Maori politician Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke. The meeting was suspended.
The Maori Party disrupted parliament proceedingsReuters
ACT Party leader David Seymour said people opposing change wanted to “stir up” fear and division. “My mission is to empower every person,” Seymour said.
After a 30-minute break, proceedings resumed and Maipi-Clarke was suspended. According to the BBC, there is little chance that the bill will pass a second vote due to the lack of support from other members of the government coalition. It will now be sent to a select committee for a six-month public hearing.
The suspended Maipi-Clarke is 22 years old and started her political career in 2023. She entered the political scene after Christopher Luxon and his conservative New Zealand National Party came to power. The politician emphasized that she was doing “everything to resurrect the (Māori – ed.) culture, knowing that it may die out.”
Protests in New Zealand
At the same time, a nine-day peaceful protest called hikoi started from the north of New Zealand to the country's capital, Wellington. Protesters will walk almost a thousand kilometers. The organizers of the march are a Maori group working for the rights of the indigenous people of New Zealand. On Wednesday, thousands of people reached the city of Auckland, located in the northwest of the country.
Those who have decided to take part in the march will arrive in Wellington next Tuesday, where tens of thousands of people are expected to gather for a large rally.
Main photo source: Reuters