The people of New Zealand have come together at the Parliament today to protest the Treaty Principles Bill. Rawiri Waititi, Te Pati Maori co-leader, welcomed the crowd of protesters, saying, “Kia Ora, my sovereign people. Aotearoa is our kingdom.” He also led the chants of ‘Kill the Bill.’
Waititi said no law and no government had the right to take away tino rangatiratanga. Referring to the haka against the Act Party’s Treaty Principles Bill in Parliament that went viral on social media last week, he thanked Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke for taking charge.
Also Read: Muhammad Yunus Promises To Hold Bangladesh Election After Reforms, But No Timeline
New Zealand Indigenous in the Spotlight
Maipi-Clarke, a legislator belonging to the Te Maori Party, said the haka was bound to go viral. She highlighted that it wasn’t about herbut about their 500 ancestors who signed that Treaty. However, David Seymour, the Treaty Principles Bill architect and ACT leader, said it’s ridiculous as it has impacted New Zealand’s image.
He explained that one person is putting up a reasoned debate and inviting a response, but then some people dance around doing the war dance, hurl personal insults, and get kicked out of the Parliament.
Seymour said it’s unacceptable. But Maipi-Clarke, 22, says the lawmakers had it coming. She explained that the Treaty unites the people and New Zealand is known for having a beautiful partnership that most indigenous countries don’t have. The young legislator said they had tried many different Point of Orders, speeches, and select committees. But it wasn’t working.
So the Maori lawmakers made the world see what’s actually going on – Indigenous people together. Seymour acknowledged that it prompted people to take an interest in the Bill. He said New Zealand needs to discuss about it.
