Massive Māori Protests Challenge Treaty Redefinition Bill in New Zealand

Tens of thousands marched to oppose legislation seen as threatening Indigenous rights, culminating in one of the largest demonstrations in the nation's history.

• More than 40,000 people participated in a hīkoi, or walking protest, culminating in a rally outside New Zealand's Parliament in Wellington to oppose the Treaty Principles Bill.
• The proposed bill, introduced by the ACT New Zealand party, seeks to narrowly reinterpret the Treaty of Waitangi, a foundational 1840 agreement between the British Crown and Māori chiefs.
• Critics, including Māori leaders and legal experts, argue the bill would erode Māori rights and self-determination, reigniting debates over Indigenous sovereignty and justice.
• The bill has passed a preliminary vote but is unlikely to become law, as key coalition partners have stated they will not support it beyond the first reading.
• The protests included traditional Māori haka performances, with Māori MPs disrupting Parliament in opposition to the bill, highlighting the deep cultural and political tensions surrounding the issue.

3 Articles

The Week The Jerusalem Post NDTV