New Zealand Protests Against Government Policies
Thousands of people took to the streets on Thursday to protest New Zealand’s center-right government and its policies toward the Indigenous Maori population. Demonstrators turned out in the capital Wellington, Auckland, and other cities, accusing the government of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of undermining long-standing legal protections.
Government Policies and Indigenous Rights
Luxon’s administration has floated plans to switch the names of some departments from Maori to English and to shutter Te Aka Whai Ora, the Maori health authority. The government is also considering a review of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, an agreement between British colonial powers and Maori chiefs which protects Indigenous rights.
Voices from the Protests
Elementary school teacher Odessa Stewart, originally from the Rongowhakaata iwi (tribe), expressed her concerns, stating that she was protesting to protect the future of her three children. She emphasized the need for change and for the government to uphold the treaty.
- New Zealand’s 1-million-strong Maori population feels threatened by the government’s policies.
- Protesters gathered in central Wellington, waving the red-and-black Maori flag and singing songs of unity.
Organized Protests
Te Pati Maori, or the Maori Party, organized the rallies to coincide with the presentation of the Luxon administration’s first budget. The party highlighted the importance of standing against anti-Maori policies and protecting the land for future generations.
Lunchtime traffic was brought to a halt in central Wellington, where the streets were packed with protesters, reflecting a strong movement against the government’s policies.
Opposition Labor lawmaker Carmel Sepuloni expressed her views at the rally, stating that the government’s actions had sparked widespread discontent among the public.
The Prime Minister’s Office was unavailable for comment, but Luxon expressed his hope that the protests would be peaceful and lawful.