New Zealand's Treaty of Waitangi Bill Sparks Controversy and Protests

The proposed legislation seeks to redefine the principles of the Treaty, raising concerns among Māori leaders about its impact on Indigenous rights.

The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840, is considered New Zealand's founding document and outlines Māori rights and relations with the British Crown.
The newly introduced Treaty Principles Bill aims to redefine the treaty's principles, a move initiated by the ACT Party within New Zealand's coalition government.
Critics argue that the bill undermines Māori rights, potentially reversing decades of progress and igniting racial tensions.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's National Party has agreed to support the bill only through its first reading, with no plans to advance it further.
Protests have erupted across New Zealand, with Māori leaders condemning the bill as a threat to social cohesion and the Māori-Crown relationship.