Protesters in New Zealand have flooded the streets to voice their opposition to the new government’s policies towards Indigenous people. The Te Pati Maori party initiated nationwide demonstrations against the recently elected right-leaning coalition, following October’s elections that concluded six years of governance by the centre-left Labour Party.
In an unconventional move, Te Pati Maori, holding six parliamentary seats, pledged allegiance to the upcoming generation and the Treaty of Waitangi, a colonial-era agreement between the British and the Maori people. However, their allegiance to King Charles breached traditional protocol.
The National Party-led coalition has committed to reviewing affirmative action policies, renaming some departments from Maori to English, and eliminating references to the Treaty of Waitangi principles in legislation.
Te Pati Maori co-leader Rawiri Waititi emphasized that the gathering was not merely a protest but an activation of their voices. The demonstrations led to disruptions in traffic across several cities, and two individuals were arrested, as confirmed by New Zealand police.
David Seymour, the leader of ACT New Zealand, criticized Te Pati Maori for engaging in “divisive theatrics” instead of offering solutions for Indigenous people. He underscored that the elected government aims to treat individuals equally, irrespective of their race.