Waitangi day: Thousands gather in NZ as Māori rights in focus

This year’s anniversary comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the Treaty Principles Bill.

The minister who has been championing proposal – Act Party leader David Seymour – has attended, despite being asked not to by his hapū (sub-tribe)., external

Proponents of the bill say it will promote equality among New Zealanders, but those against it say it is divisive and will further disadvantage Māori.

Concern about the bill is so high that a national forum representing several iwi (Māori tribes) recently wrote a letter to King Charles – New Zealand’s head of state – asking for his help.

“We seek your intervention to ensure that the government does not diminish the Crown’s honour,” the open letter reads.

“Please remind them to respect their responsibility to act as an honourable partner on your behalf.”

While it is unlikely the bill will pass – with Luxon and his majority National Party vowing to not back it at its second reading later this year – some of those who have participated in the public hearings about it say its very existence is an insult.

They include former justice minister Kiritapu Allan, who described the proposed legislation as an “abomination”.

“This is a bill that is about scrubbing us [Māori] from history,” she said.

Others have supported it. Economist Ananish Chaudhuri said the conversation about enshrining the Treaty principles in law was needed “if New Zealand is to remain a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural nation”.

He also spoke out against a situation in which different cultures in New Zealand are treated differently, saying his birth nation of India was a “cautionary tale”.

Other steps the government has taken that have caused anger include the dissolution the Māori Health Authority – which was set up under the last Labour government to try and create greater health equality – and the removal of Māori names from government departments.