Tens of Thousands Protest in New Zealand Against Bill Redefining Indigenous Rights

Tens of thousands of New Zealanders protested outside parliament on Tuesday against a bill that critics say would weaken Maori rights by altering the interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi, raising concerns about reversing decades of progress for Indigenous communities.

Tens of thousands of New Zealanders gathered outside parliament on Tuesday to protest a bill that critics argue could weaken Maori rights and damage race relations. The bill, introduced by the libertarian ACT New Zealand party, seeks to reinterpret the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, which established the governance agreement between the British Crown and Maori chiefs.

The protest, one of the country’s largest ever, saw an estimated 35,000 people chanting "kill the bill" and calling for the preservation of Maori cultural identity and rights. Some protesters wore traditional Maori attire and carried cultural symbols, while others participated in a nine-day hikoi (march) from the country’s far north to Wellington.

Although the bill lacks sufficient support to pass, it has sparked concerns among critics who believe it aims to reverse decades of policies designed to empower the Maori, who make up about 20% of the population but are disproportionately affected by social disadvantage. Despite a lack of broad support, the legislation has ignited passionate opposition, with many fearing it could undo progress made in Maori rights and recognition over the years.

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