New Zealanders protest against the government’s “anti-Maori” policy

WELLINGTON: Thousands of people took to the streets on Thursday to protest against New Zealand’s center-right government and its policies towards the indigenous Maori people.

Demonstrators turned out in Auckland, Wellington and other cities, accusing Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s government of undermining long-standing legal protections.

The Luxon administration has unveiled plans to change the names of some departments from Māori to English and close Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori health authority.

The government is also considering a review of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, an agreement between British colonial powers and Maori chiefs that protects the rights of indigenous people.

Odessa Stewart, a primary school teacher from the Rongowhakaata iwi tribe, told AFP she was protesting for the future of her three children.

She said New Zealand’s million-strong Maori population felt unsafe.

“Changes have to happen. Let’s hope the government will listen to us and respect the Treaty,” Steward added.

Luxon was selected in October last year. Te Pati Maori (Māori Party) held rallies to coincide with the presentation of his administration’s first budget.

“We must oppose all of this government’s anti-Māori policies,” Te Pati Māori said in a statement.

“We must also oppose any policy that will destroy the whenua (land) that our mokopuna (future generations) will inherit.”

Traffic was backed up at lunchtime in central Wellington, where the streets were packed with protesters, many of whom waved the red and black Maori flag and sang the song “Tutira Mai Nga Iwi,” a call for unity.

“It’s simply a reflection of the movement against the government and the policies it is implementing,” opposition Labor Party legislator Carmel Sepuloni told AFP at the rally.

“They dug a hornet’s nest. “It was supposed to be the government’s day – budget day – that was hijacked as a direct result of what they did.”

The Prime Minister’s Office was not available for comment, but on the eve of the protests, Luxon said he hoped they would be “legal, peaceful and lawful.”