Why New Zealand's Maoris are protesting against the newly elected government

Thousands of protesters took to the streets across New Zealand on Tuesday as the Parliament convened for the first time since October elections. The demonstrations in Wellington, Auckland, and other cities and towns were organised by the minor Maori Party, which advocates for the rights of Indigenous community in the country. Let’s take a closer look. The protest Protesters demonstrated peacefully outside Parliament against what they described as the “anti-Maori” policies of the newly elected conservative-led coalition government. The demonstration caused traffic jams for commuters and gave Prime Minister Christopher Luxon a taste of leadership. Police estimate around 300 vehicles took part in protests in New Zealand’s largest city Auckland, where two arrests were made. Maori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi said the new policies of Luxon’s administration would take New Zealand “back to the 1800s.” “Our protest this morning was an activation of our people.” He joined a group of around 600 people in Wellington, some draped in Maori flags and carrying signs reading “Honour the Treaty”, who marched through the capital before rallying in front of parliament. “This is about pulling our people together, standing as one to protect the Treaty of Waitangi, the very document which allows us to live here freely,” he added. Maori leaders accuse Luxon’s conservative coalition of racist policies, including undermining a treaty that protects Indigenous rights. The coalition government, sworn in last Monday, also wants to switch the names of some departments from Maori to English and close the Maori Health Authority, Te Aka Whai Ora. [caption id=“attachment_13468322” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, right, shakes hands and performs a hongi with Te Pati Maori co-leader Rawiri Waiti in the chamber during the Swearing-in ceremony at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand. AP[/caption] Luxon government’s response The National Party-led government promises to review the Treaty of Waitangi and implement potential changes to how that foundation document signed by British colonists and Maori chiefs in 1840 affects modern laws. The government has also foreshadowed changes to the Maori Health Authority, a statutory agency responsible for ensuring that the New Zealand health system meets Maori needs. Luxon rejected the protestors’ criticism of his fledgling government. “I think it’s pretty unfair, to be honest,” Luxon told reporters, “The reality is we’ve been in government for a week. We are going to get things done for Maori and non-Maori.” He added that his government was “deeply committed to improving outcomes for Maori and non-Maori. Maori have done very well in National-led governments in the past, and they’re going to continue to do well.” ACT Party leader David Seymour described the Maori Party protests as “divisive theatrics” that showed disrespect for the election result. “New Zealanders elected a government that will treat people equally, regardless of their race,” Seymour said, adding, “It’s a sad day when a political party is protesting equal rights.” The elections Lawmakers were sworn in on Tuesday after elections on 14 October ousted the center-left Labour Party government that had ruled since 2017. Luxon’s National Party won 38 per cent of the vote — the largest proportion of any party. He took almost six weeks after the election to reach a coalition agreement with another two parties: the populist New Zealand First party and the libertarian ACT Party. The Maori Party won six of the 123 seats in the 54th Parliament. With inputs from AP, AFP