In one of New Zealand’s largest protests in recent history, tens of thousands marched on Parliament in Wellington to oppose a controversial bill that critics say threatens the rights of the Indigenous Māori people and undermines the country’s founding principles.
The Protest
The nine-day march, known as the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti, began in New Zealand’s far north and culminated Tuesday with approximately 42,000 people rallying in the capital. Demonstrators waved flags, carried signs, and joined in traditional Māori haka performances outside Parliament, demanding the rejection of the Treaty Principles Bill.
“This is a moment of unity, a stand for Māori rights,” said marcher Tukukino Royal, who described the protest as a “generational movement.”
Lawmakers inside Parliament debated the bill as the crowd outside chanted “kill the bill.”
The Treaty of Waitangi
At the center of the controversy is the Treaty of Waitangi, a foundational agreement signed in 1840 between British colonizers and Māori leaders. The treaty establishes principles of co-governance and is seen as a cornerstone of modern New Zealand. However, differing interpretations of its English and Māori versions have sparked debates over its application.
Unlike the U.S., New Zealand does not have a written constitution. Instead, treaty principles have been defined over the years by legislation and court decisions aimed at addressing historical grievances and systemic disparities faced by Māori communities.
The Bill and Its Opposition
Introduced by David Seymour, leader of the right-wing ACT New Zealand Party, the Treaty Principles Bill seeks to redefine the treaty’s principles and apply them uniformly to all New Zealanders. Supporters argue the current interpretations give Māori preferential treatment.
Critics, including Indigenous leaders and members of major political parties, say the bill threatens Māori rights and risks undermining decades of progress. Hīkoi leader Eru Kapa-Kingi told the crowd, “Te Tiriti (the treaty) is forever,” adding that the protest signals the birth of a new era for Māori advocacy.
Though the bill is unlikely to pass, its introduction has sparked a national conversation on Indigenous rights and political priorities under the country’s most right-wing government in years.