New Zealand: 55,000 Maori walked across the country in 9 days protesting bill

Tens of thousands protested Tuesday (19.11.2024), outside her parliament in Wellington. The natives of the island country protest a bill allegedly reducing Maori rights. The 55,000 Maori march began 9 days ago in the northern part of New Zealand and crossed along the island in one of the largest protests in the country, in recent decades. The Maori traditional peaceful walk peaked outside parliament on Tuesday, where protesters appealed to lawmakers to withdraw the controversial bill. According to local media, the draft law revises an 1840 agreement between British colonists and Maori. The legislation is not expected to be passed as most parties are committed to voting against it, but its introduction has caused political unrest and revives a debate on the rights of indigenous peoples in the country under the most right-wing government in recent years. The grand march Huge crowds marched into the capital of New Zealand, Wellington, with protesters waving flags, along with members of the Maori community with traditional outfits. Police said about 55,000 people, a significant number in a country of about 5 million inhabitants, marched towards parliament to oppose the bill. If you read up on the history, culture, and superstitutions of the Māori, it won’t take long to figure out that they’re not actually a “noble” people. — GMoney (@Hobgobliinn) “Today is a demonstration of kotahitanga (unity), solidarity and being one as a people and defending our rights as indigenous Maori,” protestor Tukukino Royal told Reuters. Last week, the Treaty of Waitangi The Treaty of Wytangi, New Zealand is a document signed by the colonial British regime and 500 leaders Maori in 1840, which enshrines the principles of co-government between Native and non-Indigenous New Zealanders. The treaty is considered one of the country’s founding documents and the interpretation of its clauses continues to guide legislation and politics today. Two versions of the text in Maori, or Te Tiriti, and English – were signed, but each contains a different language, which has raised discussions about arbitrary interpretation of the treaty. Reuters information