New Zealand: Maori protest as hikoi reaches Wellington

The country is seen as a world leader for supporting indigenous rights, but many fear that's now at risk.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatchHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS ElectionUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthVideoLiveAudioWeatherNewslettersThousands flock to NZ capital in huge Māori protestsGetty ImagesThe nine-day hīkoi, or peaceful protest, had made its way through the countryMore than 40,000 people have protested outside New Zealand’s parliament against a controversial bill seeking to reinterpret the country's founding document between British colonisers and Māori people.

Tuesday's demonstration marked the end of a nine-day hīkoi, or peaceful protest, that had made its way through the country.

The Treaty Principles bill argues that New Zealand should reinterpret and legally define the principles of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, a document seen as fundamental to the country’s race relations.

Many critics see it as an attempt to take rights away from Māori people. Supporters of the change say the treaty no longer reflects a multicultural society.

Tuesday's march brought together activists and other opponents of the bill.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdd0qr9mv9mo

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