New Zealand: Thousands march against new government's reversal of Indigenous policies

Protests have erupted across New Zealand as thousands rally against the new government’s intention to overturn policies that enhanced Indigenous rights. Prime Minister Chris Luxon’s right-wing administration aims to reinterpret the nation’s Indigenous treaty and diminish the use of the Māori language. Māori leaders criticize the three-party coalition as “anti-Māori,” while the government asserts a commitment to improvements for both Māori and non-Māori.

The coalition leaders emphasize their desire to avoid dividing the country along racial lines and call for a review of affirmative action policies. Tuesday’s protests, organized by the Maori political party, saw about 300 cars blocking roads in Auckland, resulting in two arrests. Demonstrations also took place in Wellington and other cities. The protests coincided with the first day of parliament’s sitting since October’s election.

The National party, with a center-right stance, secured the majority vote but formed a government with the support of two minor right-wing parties, New Zealand First and Act. The coalition, sworn in last week after policy negotiations, has been characterized as leaning further to the right due to the influence of fringe parties.

The government’s plans to reinterpret the Treaty of Waitangi, a foundational document signed by British colonists and Māori chiefs, have sparked anger within the Māori community. The treaty outlines Māori rights, resource allocation, and political power recognition. The new administration has also announced the closure of the Māori Health Authority and proposed changing the names of some departments from Māori to English.

Criticism extends to the plan to scrap New Zealand’s leading smoking ban to fund income tax cuts. Health experts argue that this move would adversely impact Māori, who have higher smoking rates. The Māori population continues to face disparities in health outcomes, household income, education levels, and incarceration and mortality rates.

Rawiri Waititi, co-leader of the Te Pāti Māori Party, states that the government’s policies regress New Zealand “back to the 1800s.” Former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and other critics express concern over the reversal of landmark environmental and safety laws enacted under the previous government, including plans to reverse the ban on offshore gas and oil exploration and rewrite firearms legislation.