Why Thousands Are Marching for Māori Rights in New Zealand

A controversial law proposal has sparked massive protests across New Zealand. This law aims to change how the country's founding treaty, the Treaty of Waitangi, is understood. Signed in 1840 between British representatives and 500 Māori chiefs, the treaty is central to New Zealand's identity. However, the English and Māori versions have different interpretations, causing decades of disagreement. Now, Māori and non-Māori New Zealanders are marching to defend the treaty's original principles. The march follows a Māori tradition called hīkoi, where people walk to draw attention to treaty breaches. Last week, Māori politicians even performed a haka, a traditional warriors' dance, in Parliament to protest. While the bill is unlikely to pass, it has ignited heated debates about race relations and treating Indigenous people fairly. Over time, the Crown has broken both treaty versions, leading to the loss of Māori language and culture, land confiscation, and widespread discrimination. Lawmakers have been working to fix these issues, with some success. The Māori language has seen a revival, and policies now target disparities faced by Māori. But some New Zealanders, including lawmaker David Seymour, think Māori have received special treatment. Seymour's proposed law would define the treaty's principles more clearly and apply them to all New Zealanders. However, critics argue this could cause constitutional chaos and take away treaty rights already protected by law. People protesting include former prime ministers, top lawyers, and thousands who disagree with Seymour's stance. Despite the high tensions, the protest marches have been peaceful, with up to 10, 000 people joining in various cities. The final march to Parliament in Wellington is expected to draw 30, 000 people. While some protesters oppose Seymour's bill, others are against other government policies on Māori affairs. This march is a crucial moment for New Zealand, showing how deeply the treaty affects the nation's society and politics.