Protests Erupt Over New Zealand Treaty Bill

A proposed law in New Zealand aimed at redefining the founding Treaty of Waitangi has ignited widespread protests, culminating in a massive march in Wellington. Tens of thousands are expected to participate in the final stretch of a weeklong protest, which follows a Māori tradition known as hīkoi. The bill, introduced by the Act party, has been criticized for threatening Māori rights and exacerbating racial tensions. Recently, parliament was disrupted when opposition MPs performed a haka in protest, drawing international attention. The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840, established the relationship between the British Crown and Māori chiefs but has been historically breached, leading to ongoing disputes about its interpretation and implications for Indigenous rights. Although the bill is not likely to pass, it has highlighted the fragile state of race relations in New Zealand under the current government.