Wellington, New Zealand In a historic display of unity, over 35,000 people gathered outside New Zealand’s parliament in Wellington on Tuesday to protest a controversial bill seeking to redefine the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, the country’s founding document. The demonstration marked the culmination of a nine-day hikoi (peaceful protest march) that wound its way across the nation, drawing participants and supporters in unprecedented numbers.
The hīkoi, which had been steadily growing in momentum, reached its peak as thousands marched through the streets of the capital. Participants, many draped in the red, black, and white colors of the Māori flag, voiced their opposition to the bill introduced by the Act Party, a junior member of New Zealand’s governing coalition.
The Controversial Bill
The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840, is a cornerstone of New Zealand’s race relations, outlining an agreement between the British Crown and Māori chiefs. However, the Act Party’s proposed legislation argues for a reinterpretation of the treaty’s principles to achieve what its leader, David Seymour, describes as “equality.”
Seymour, who has Māori ancestry, believes the current interpretation of the treaty has fostered division rather than unity.
“My Treaty Principles Bill says that I, like everybody else, whether their ancestors came here a thousand years ago, like some of mine did, or just got off the plane at Auckland International Airport this morning to begin their journey as New Zealanders, have the same basic rights and dignity,” Seymour said in defense of the bill.
Critics of the bill, however, argue that it disregards the treaty’s historical and cultural significance, undermining Māori rights and their unique status as tangata whenua (indigenous people) of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Protest
The hīkoi concluded with a powerful display of solidarity at the Beehive, New Zealand’s iconic parliament building. The Māori Queen, Ngā Wai hono i te pō, led the delegation onto the grounds, her presence a symbol of the deep cultural and spiritual ties underpinning the protest.
The scene outside parliament was one of unity and defiance, as demonstrators chanted, sang waiata (songs), and performed haka to express their opposition to the bill.
“This is not just about a piece of legislation. This is about our identity, our mana, and the promises made to us in the Treaty of Waitangi,” said protester Hine Te Rangi, who traveled from Rotorua to join the hīkoi.
Wellington’s transport infrastructure was stretched to its limits as the city’s rail network experienced what officials believe may have been its busiest morning ever.
Government Response
Despite the overwhelming turnout, Seymour and the Act Party remained firm in their stance. Seymour argued that the bill seeks to eliminate what he described as racial profiling embedded in the treaty’s current application.
“Your starting point is to take a human being and ask, what’s your ancestry? What kind of human are you? That used to be called prejudice. It used to be called bigotry. It used to be called profiling and discrimination. Now you’re trying to make a virtue of it. I think that’s a big mistake,” he said.
The protest, however, has cast doubt on the bill’s future. Opposition from Māori leaders, activists, and significant portions of the public may pose insurmountable challenges for the legislation.
A Defining Moment
The protest marks a defining moment in New Zealand’s ongoing conversation about the Treaty of Waitangi and its role in modern governance. For many, it is a reminder of the treaty’s enduring significance and the importance of honoring its principles in fostering equity and justice.
As the dust settles in Wellington, the government faces the formidable task of addressing the concerns raised by the hīkoi while navigating the complex relationship between New Zealand’s diverse communities and their shared history.
