Waitangi Day- the day of signing the Treaty of Waitangi, this year had shown up among the ongoing political turmoil regarding the ‘Treaty Principles Bill.’ Since last year, the tensions between the government and the Maori community have been rising due to a bill introducing changes in the founding document of the country.
On February 6, many gathered to celebrate the national day events in Waitangi, located in northern New Zealand, while Prime Minister Christopher Luxon attended a ceremony on the South Island. In his speech, he referred to this day as an opportunity to reflect on New Zealand’s past as it charts its future.
The Turned Backs
The coalition government leaders had also gathered to celebrate the treaty day in the Far North. However, as the delegation arrived, the ‘Toitu te Tirtiti’ protestors left the grounds indicating their silent protest.
“We are sick of talking to ears that will not listen, and to minds that will not change,” said the crowd leader before leaving.
“[We] are turning our backs on them, we don’t want to listen, we have had enough,” is what Hineragi Himiona told the Guardian as Maori leaders, and a group of women turned their backs shutting up Some of the ministers who stood to speak up in front of the meeting house.
“There is a lot to cry about, and there is a lot to be angry about – we hope that we represented the mamaetanga [hurt] of our people well,” Himona added, expressing anger and hurt battling for Maori rights.
The Response
David Seymour, the leader of the Act party and the creator of the bill, faced backlash from the crowd during his speech, with attendees turning their backs on him and taking away his microphone. Following the event, he spoke to reporters, and delivered an impassioned address saying, “Here are some problems that you can’t turn your back on because the numbers do not lie,” he said in response to the protest. “Māori home ownership. school attendance. victimization by criminals … none of it is getting better, If this is what a treaty partnership looks like, how is it working out for Māori?”
He added further, “You can try and suppress ideas, but actually, people have an ability to decide what they think for themselves … I think it’s important that the message gets out, regardless of people trying to interfere with your ability.” Other ministers in the Coalition described the interactions on Waitangi Eve as disappointing and characterized them as a “circus.”
The controversial Treaty
Last year, a bill was introduced in the New Zealand Parliament that aims to change the country’s founding document, the Waitangi Treaty. The Treaty is a 185-year-old agreement signed between the British Crown and Māori chiefs in 1840. The Treaty Principles Bill aims to legally define the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, which is vital for race relations in New Zealand. It addresses issues related to racial division in the country and proposes that the treaty be interpreted more fairly through Parliament instead of the courts. This led to the opposition leaders performing the ‘Haka,’ a war cry led by MP Hana Rawhiti Maipi Clarke, which went viral online last year.
Haripriya Mishra is a journalist deeply interested in world news and geopolitics. She likes to explore the complexities of global affairs and strives to bring clarity to these issues through thoughtful journalism. Through her writing, she intends to raise the right questions, fostering informed discussions about national and international matters. Haripriya aims to use journalism as a platform to connect with people, share diverse perspectives, and contribute to a deeper understanding of global issues. She is committed to producing content that is accurate, ethical, and impactful. She enjoys creative writing and reflecting on the nuances of media and storytelling.
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