Protests break out in New Zealand over ‘anti-Maori’ policies.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets against the New Zealand government’s policy towards the indigenous Maori population. They staged demonstrations in Auckland, Wellington and other cities, accusing Christopher Luxon’s government of undermining long-standing legal protections.

Prime Minister Luxon’s 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 New Zealand 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.

Te Pati Maori (Māori Party) stated that it must oppose all these anti-Māori policies.

“We must also oppose any policy that will destroy the Whenua (land) that our mokopuna (future generations) will inherit,” Te Pati Māori said.

Traffic was stopped in central Wellington, where the streets were packed with protesters, many of them waving the red and black Maori flag and singing the song “Tutira Mai Nga Iwi”, which calls for unity.

Following the protests, Te Pati Māori called for the creation of a Māori parliament.

“In a matter of days, we mobilized our people in beautiful, harmonious action against this government,” the statement said.

“We are now starting the process of creating our own parliament. Our people will design what it will look like for us, no one else,” he added.