What to Know About the New Zealand Protests

Thousands gather to protest the Rights Bill in a march to Parliament, Image courtesy of Indian Express

From the 10th to the 19th of November 2024, the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti march began in northern New Zealand to demonstrate outside Parliament in Wellington. The traditional peaceful Māori walk marks the largest protest in the country in the recent decade. The protest, centred on the Treaty Principles Bill introduced in Parliament in 2024, seeks to redefine the interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi.

History of the Bill

The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and over 500 Māori chiefs, becoming the foundational document in relations between the two nations. At the time, the British wanted to assert more formal control over New Zealand, so the treaty was meant to address both the Crown’s desire to extend its influence and the need for protection of Māori lands, rights, and sovereignty. The treaty consists of three articles, yet their translation and interpretation have been at the heart of legal and political debates for over a century. 

1. Article 1: Governance
   1. English Version: grants the British Crown sovereignty over New Zealand, allowing it to govern the country and make laws.
   2. Māori Version: the Māori text uses the word kāwanatanga (governance) instead of sovereignty. Therefore, Māori chiefs understood this to mean that the Crown would have control over the governance of the country, while they retained authority over their lands and affairs.
2. Article 2: Protection of Māori Rights
   1. English Version: guarantees the protection of Māori property rights, particularly their land, forests, and fisheries, and allows the Crown to purchase land from Māori on a willing seller basis.
   2. Māori Version: the Māori text assures that Māori tino rangatiratanga (sovereignty or chieftainship) over their lands and villages will be protected, while also recognizing the Crown’s authority to govern and purchase land.
3. Article 3: Equality and Protection 
   1. English Version: promises that the Crown will extend to Māori the same rights and protections as British subjects under British law.
   2. Māori Version: the Māori version pledges that the Crown will protect the Māori and grant them the same rights as British citizens.

Importance of the Treaty Principles Bill

Since the introduction of the Treaty Principles Bill this year, Māori lawmakers and activists have voiced concerns that the bill disregards their status as Indigenous people, potentially eroding the very protections that the treaty was intended to provide. The bill misinterprets key treaty provisions and undermines Māori sovereignty (tino rangatiratanga). Māori fear it could weaken the guarantees originally made by the Crown, such as the protection of Māori lands and cultural rights.​

     A Māori Parliament Member performs a Haka in protest during the Houseduring House Session last week.

Meanwhile, proponents of the bill, argue that the existing interpretation has led to legal uncertainty and the favouring of Māori over non-Indigenous citizens, possibly  disrupting national unity. They believe that clarifying the treaty’s principles and having a stricter definition of the articles will ensure a more balanced approach to governance in New Zealand. 

Protest

According to the Auckland Police Force, there are currently around 42,000 people protesting against the legislation. This is a noteworthy figure for the country of five million. Moreover, the bill is widely opposed by politicians from both sides, and is not expected to pass. However, opposition still remains from the party that submitted the bill.