Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Caracas: The United States attacks another alleged drug-trafficking ship off the coast of Colombia in the Pacific Ocean
Palestinian official urges world to force 'Israel' to comply with ICJ ruling: AFP
Israeli media says Knesset approved bill to annex in West Bank in preliminary reading
Kremlin: As part of strategic nuclear force exercise, Cruiser Bryansk launched Sineva ballistic missile from Barents Sea.
Kremlin: Yars Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome at Kura test site in Kamchatka.
Kremlin: Strategic nuclear forces exercise took place under Putin's leadership.
Lebanese MP Imad Al-Hout, following his meeting with the Grand Mufti of the Republic: Lebanon is the last country to move toward peace and normalization [with "Israel"]
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One martyr reported in Israeli drone strike targeting motorcycle in Ain Qana.
Israeli media: Sirens sound in Nahal Oz settlement in Gaza Envelope.
Syria: Local sources report that General Security forces targeted the camp of French fighters from the 'al-Ghuraba division' in the Idlib countryside with mortar and tank shells.

Massive protests held against New Zealand Māori bill

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 20 Nov 2024 18:18
3 Min Read

Thousands of protesters marched on New Zealand's parliament to oppose the Treaty Principles Bill, arguing that it undermines Māori rights and the nation's foundational values.

Listen
  • x
  • Massive protests against New Zealand Maori bill
    Members of the Maori community and their supporters march through the streets in a protest rally to criticize the government for its policies affecting the Indigenous Mori population in Wellington on November 19, 2024. (AFP)

Thousands protested at New Zealand's parliament in Wellington against a law that violates the country's foundational values and weakens Māori rights.

The Hīkoi mō te Tiriti march began nine days ago in New Zealand's far north and covered the length of the North Island, making it one of the country's largest rallies in recent decades.

The peaceful Māori walk, or hīkoi, culminated outside parliament on Tuesday. Protesters urged politicians to reject the contentious pact Principles Bill, which aims to redefine the 184-year-old pact between British colonists and hundreds of Māori tribes.

Māori protest in New Zealand against a bill to give equal rights to citizens of all races: pic.twitter.com/8n6SWfoeV9

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) November 19, 2024

The law is unlikely to pass since most parties have pledged to vote against it, but its introduction has sparked political instability and renewed a discussion over Indigenous rights in the country under the most right-wing administration in years.

During the hīkoi, some 42,000 people marched through Wellington, brandishing flags and banners and dressed in traditional Māori attire.

Attendees hailed the march as a "generational" occasion. "Today is a show of kotahitanga (unity), solidarity, and being one as a people to uphold our rights as Indigenous Māori," marcher Tukukino Royal told Reuters.

Related News

New Zealand AG warns electoral reform may violate human rights law

New Zealand panel urges scrapping divisive Maori treaty bill

Protesters gathered outside parliament, known as the Beehive, while legislators debated the contentious issue.

Last week, Māori parliamentarians disrupted voting on a measure by doing the traditional haka dance.

The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 by the colonial British ruler and 500 Māori chiefs, establishes co-governance principles for Indigenous and non-Indigenous New Zealanders.

The treaty is regarded as one of the country's foundational documents, and the interpretation of its provisions continues to shape legislation and policy today.

The treaty was signed in two languages: Māori (Te Tiriti) and English. However, the differences in language have led to debates regarding its definition and interpretation.

Unlike the United States, New Zealand lacks a written constitution, relying on the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, which have evolved over the past 40 years. The treaty aims to protect Māori interests and their relationship with the British Crown, with courts addressing Māori disenfranchisement and social inequities.

David Seymour, leader of the far-right ACT Party, introduced the Treaty Principles Bill, arguing that the treaty’s principles should apply to all New Zealanders, not just Māori, without altering the original wording. Supporters claim it would prevent preferential treatment of Māori, while opponents, including politicians and protesters, argue it could undermine Māori rights.

Protests erupted when Seymour was greeted outside Parliament, with Māori leader Eru Kapa-Kingi declaring, "Te Tiriti is forever" and others crying " "kill the bill, kill the bill" as he briefly came out of parliament on Tuesday to speak with the protesters.

  • New Zealand
  • Maori people

Most Read

Yemeni Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari , during a ceremony in an undisclosed locations in Yemen, undate (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemeni Armed Forces mourn martyred Chief of Staff al-Ghamari

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
Smoke and fire rises after 'Israel' launched airstrikes on the village of Ansar, Lebanon, October 16, 2025 (social media)

'Israel' launches two waves of brutal strikes on east, south Lebanon

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
A woman with her purchased groceries walks out from an underground market, in Beijing, Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Global brands in China face pressure from rising local rivals

  • Economy
  • 17 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Nearly half of attacks in occupied al-Quds target Armenian Christians
Politics

Nearly half of attacks in occupied al-Quds target Armenian Christians

Greece rocked by EU farm subsidy scandal as dozens arrested
Economy

Greece rocked by EU farm subsidy scandal as dozens arrested

Netherlands holds talks with China after Beijing curbs Nexperia export.
Technology

Netherlands holds talks with China after Nexperia export's curb

Trump said to demand DOJ pay him $230 million for past cases: NYT
Politics

Trump said to demand DOJ pay him $230 mln for past cases: NYT

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS