Tens of thousands of protesters marched to New Zealand’s parliament in Wellington on Tuesday, opposing the Treaty Principles Bill, a piece of legislation critics argue undermines Māori rights and the country’s foundational principles.
The nine-day Hīkoi mō te Tiriti march began in the far north of New Zealand, traversing the length of the North Island in what has become one of the largest protests in decades. The hīkoi, a traditional peaceful Māori walk, culminated in front of the Beehive, New Zealand’s parliament building, with demonstrators urging lawmakers to reject the controversial bill.
While the bill is unlikely to pass due to widespread opposition among political parties, its introduction has sparked political upheaval and reignited debates on Indigenous rights under New Zealand’s most right-wing government in years.
What Happened?
Around 42,000 people marched through Wellington, waving flags and signs while members of the Māori community wore traditional attire.
Protesters described the event as historic. “Today is about kotahitanga (unity) and standing together to uphold our rights as Indigenous Māori,” marcher Tukukino Royal told Reuters.
Outside the Beehive, protesters gathered as lawmakers debated the bill. Last week, tensions over the legislation boiled over when Māori MPs staged a haka in parliament to disrupt a vote.
What Is the Treaty of Waitangi?
The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 by the British Crown and 500 Māori chiefs, is one of New Zealand’s founding documents. It enshrines principles of co-governance between Māori and non-Māori populations.
However, two versions of the treaty exist—one in English and one in Māori—with key differences in wording that have long fueled debates over its interpretation.
Unlike nations with written constitutions, New Zealand relies on principles developed from the treaty over the past 40 years to guide laws and policies. These principles aim to protect Māori interests, ensure shared decision-making, and address longstanding social and economic inequalities faced by Māori communities.
What Is the Bill?
The Treaty Principles Bill, introduced by David Seymour, leader of the right-wing ACT Party, seeks to define treaty principles in law and make them applicable to all New Zealanders, not just Māori.
Seymour argues the bill would provide clarity and fairness, claiming that past interpretations of the treaty have given Māori preferential treatment.
Critics, however, warn the bill could undermine Māori rights and erode decades of progress in addressing historical injustices. Opposition has come from both sides of the political spectrum as well as Indigenous and non-Indigenous New Zealanders.
On Tuesday, Seymour briefly addressed the protesters outside parliament but was met with chants of “Kill the bill!”
A Moment of Unity and Resistance
Hīkoi leader Eru Kapa-Kingi declared the march a turning point, stating, “The Māori nation has been born today. Te Tiriti is forever.”
The march underscores the broader struggle over New Zealand’s identity, governance, and the place of Indigenous rights in its political framework. While the Treaty Principles Bill appears destined for defeat, the protest signals a renewed determination among Māori and their allies to defend their rights and uphold the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
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