Thousands of protestors are making their way to Wellington in a nine-day-long march (known as hikoi) after parliament started discussing a highly-disputed bill about New-Zealands founding treaty
The crowd in Rotorua reached about 10k people according to police reports‚ with many protestors wearing traditional outfits being welcomed by fellow-supporters waving flags and chanting. The march which started on nov 7th is moving south towards the capital where it will arrive next tuesday
During the bills first hearing Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke a young member of parliament made a bold statement – she tore up the document and led a haka (traditional maori challenge dance) while other indigenous representatives and visitors joined in
The Treaty of Waitangi signed back in 1840 between British representatives and over 500 maori chiefs; remains the cornerstone of new-zealands governance system. The ACT New Zealand party introduced this reform claiming non-indigenous citizens dont get fair treatment due to current policies
The bill however seems unlikely to pass: both the National Party and New Zealand First (coalition partners) say theyll only support its first reading. Prime minister Christopher Luxon confirmed yesterday his party wont back further progress
The proposed changes affect about 20% of new-zealands population – thats the share of indigenous people who see this bill as a direct threat to their rights. Multiple protest events are happening across the country as the main march continues its journey to the capital
We cannot let this attack on our treaty rights stand