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Saturday, Feb 21, 2026
Outside the box.
Massive Māori Protest Reaches New Zealand Capital
Over 40,000 march in Wellington against proposed reinterpretation of Treaty of Waitangi
On November 19, 2024, more than 40,000 protesters gathered outside New Zealand's parliament in Wellington to oppose a proposed bill that seeks to reinterpret the Treaty of Waitangi, the country's foundational document.
The protest marked the end of a nine-day hīkoi, a peaceful protest march, one of the largest in New Zealand's history.
Participants, many draped in the Māori flag, rallied against the bill introduced by the Act political party, calling for a legal redefinition of the treaty's principles.
Act's leader, David Seymour, argued the current interpretation causes racial divisions.
The proposal faced significant pushback from the Māori community and its allies.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, despite being in coalition with Act, stated that the National Party would not support the bill beyond its second reading, ensuring it would not become law.
Activists like Debby Ngarewa-Packer of Te Pāti Māori criticized the bill as divisive.
The protest included a haka performance in parliament and a massive rally involving people from diverse backgrounds.
Many, like Stan Lingman, declared the hīkoi was for all New Zealanders, while others, such as Barbara Lecomte, argued for equal rights irrespective of ancestry.
However, the underlying tension highlighted the ongoing struggle for Māori rights in New Zealand.
Rose Raharuhi Spicer, a protester with Māori roots, expressed the importance of the movement for future generations, urging unity among Māori and non-Māori alike.
The protest marked the end of a nine-day hīkoi, a peaceful protest march, one of the largest in New Zealand's history.
Participants, many draped in the Māori flag, rallied against the bill introduced by the Act political party, calling for a legal redefinition of the treaty's principles.
Act's leader, David Seymour, argued the current interpretation causes racial divisions.
The proposal faced significant pushback from the Māori community and its allies.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, despite being in coalition with Act, stated that the National Party would not support the bill beyond its second reading, ensuring it would not become law.
Activists like Debby Ngarewa-Packer of Te Pāti Māori criticized the bill as divisive.
The protest included a haka performance in parliament and a massive rally involving people from diverse backgrounds.
Many, like Stan Lingman, declared the hīkoi was for all New Zealanders, while others, such as Barbara Lecomte, argued for equal rights irrespective of ancestry.
However, the underlying tension highlighted the ongoing struggle for Māori rights in New Zealand.
Rose Raharuhi Spicer, a protester with Māori roots, expressed the importance of the movement for future generations, urging unity among Māori and non-Māori alike.
