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Journalism of Courage
This is an archive article published on November 19, 2024
Thousands gather to protest New Zealand’s indigenous rights bill, march to parliament
Police estimated that over 15,000 people were marching towards parliament, with 2,000 already gathered at the parliamentary precinct.
Indigenous Māori march through the central business district to Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP)
A nine-day journey by Māori and their allies across New Zealand culminated on Tuesday in a large-scale protest in Wellington. Thousands have gathered to oppose a controversial bill that critics claim would undermine Māori rights.
“Today is about kotahitanga – unity, solidarity, and standing together to uphold our rights as Indigenous Māori,” said Tukukino Royal, speaking ahead of the march to the parliamentary grounds. “This is a generational issue,” he added, as reported by Reuters.
The protest began with participants assembling in a central city park, creating a vibrant atmosphere with flags, music, and speeches. Many wore traditional clothing, such as feathered headgear and cloaks, and carried traditional Māori weapons. Others sported t-shirts with slogans like Toitū te Tiriti (Honour the Treaty).
Te Haukūnui Hokianga, 8 years old, blows into a sea shell ahead of a march by indigenous Māori to Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP)
Police estimated that over 15,000 people were marching towards parliament, with 2,000 already gathered at the parliamentary precinct.
The march, or hikoi, began in New Zealand’s far north last week and has drawn thousands to rallies in towns and cities en route to Wellington. The demonstration opposes the Treaty Principles Bill, which seeks to reinterpret aspects of the Treaty of Waitangi, a foundational document signed in 1840 between the British Crown and over 500 Māori chiefs.
The treaty, which continues to influence legislation and policy, has seen Māori rights expanded over time through court rulings and decisions by the Waitangi Tribunal. However, the ACT New Zealand party, which introduced the bill, argues that these interpretations have unfairly discriminated against non-Indigenous citizens.
The ACT party, a junior partner in the centre-right coalition government, secured 8.6% vote in last year’s election. Its bill proposes a more restrictive reading of the treaty.
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Although the bill currently lacks enough parliamentary support to pass, its introduction has sparked widespread protests and criticism, with many seeing it as an attempt to roll back decades of efforts to empower Māori communities.
Some government representatives, including members of the National Party, plan to meet with hikoi leaders, while the Prime Minister is yet to decide on a response, according to a government spokesperson.
Māori, who comprise around 20% of New Zealand’s population of 5.3 million, are disproportionately affected by social and economic disadvantage.
Abby Collier, 42, travelled six hours from Tairāwhiti to participate in the protest. “We’ve come together from all over the country to show our children that we can make a difference with kindness,” she said.
(with inputs from Reuters)
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