performance in new zealand
Indigenous “haka” chants echoed in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, as thousands of people took to the streets to protest against a bill. According to opponents of the bill, it attacks founding principles and weakens the rights of the Māori people. The Hikoi Mo Te Tiriti march began in the far north of the country ten days ago and has swept across the North Island in one of the country’s largest protests in recent decades. The Hikoi march ended on Tuesday outside the New Zealand Parliament, where some 35,000 people demonstrated and demanded MPs reject the Treaty Principles Bill introduced by the libertarian party ACT New Zealand earlier this month to redefine the Treaty. of Waitangi.
In view of the growing opposition, the chances of this law passing are negligible because most parties have called for a vote to reject it. But its very beginning has created political turmoil in the country. The debate on indigenous rights has begun once again.
The Maori and their history in New Zealand
Maori are the original inhabitants of New Zealand and their history and culture have an important contribution to the country’s culture. The Maori are considered to be the original inhabitants of the two main islands. What is now known as New Zealand. They reportedly arrived on a canoe trip from Polynesia in the 13th century. He has since settled in New Zealand. They developed their culture and language by staying here. Today they are spread throughout New Zealand in the form of different tribes.
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The islands inhabited by Maori were called Aotearoa. After control by British colonialists in 1840, its name was changed to New Zealand. New Zealand became independent from the British in 1947.
What is the Treaty of Waitangi?
The “Treaty of Waitangi” was signed in 1840 between the British Crown and more than 500 Maori leaders. It is considered the founding document of New Zealand. A power-sharing agreement between Māori and European New Zealanders is also being considered. According to one report, the treaty was originally presented as a measure to resolve differences between Māori and the British. However, there are some obvious differences between the English and te reo versions of the treaty, which has led to Māori allegedly continuing to suffer injustices in New Zealand even after independence.
Treaty Principles Bill
According to official figures, there are currently 978,246 Māori in New Zealand, making up about 19 percent of the country’s population of 5.3 million. Te Pati Māori, or Māori Party, represents them in Parliament and holds six of its 123 seats. David Seymour MP, himself a Māori, introduced the Treaty Principles Bill in Parliament. He is a member of the ACT Party, a partner in New Zealand’s coalition government.
According to Seymour’s party, the Treaty of Waitangi has been misinterpreted for decades, creating a dual system for New Zealanders. Where Maori have special rights. The Treaty Principles Bill seeks to end “caste-based division” by giving a specific definition to treaty principles. These principles would then apply to all New Zealanders, Māori or not. Outgoing Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has expressed his opposition to Seymour’s bill. Which means that when it comes to parliamentary voting, it cannot be passed in Parliament at any price.
Why is the bill controversial?
After the bill was tabled for debate in Parliament last week, Māori Party MP Hana-Raviti Maipi-Clark, 22, tore it in half. Whose video has also gone viral on social networks. After which widespread protests are being seen in New Zealand. This bill is related to the Treaty of Waitangi of 1840. It was then decided that the Maori tribes had accepted British rule. In exchange, they were promised protection of their lands and rights. But now the bill introduced by Hana Rawiti in the New Zealand Parliament mentions the application of equal principles to all citizens. Maori tribal leaders consider this a violation of their indigenous rights.
