Thousands of protesters took to the streets in New Zealand to oppose the new government’s policies towards indigenous people. Protesters gathered outside parliament and on highways on December 5, 2023, after the Te Pati Maori Party called for demonstrations across the country. These demonstrations followed the October elections that ended six years of rule by the center-left Labor Party. [1]
Although Te Pati Maori has six seats in parliament, before swearing allegiance to King Charles, Te Pati Maori swore allegiance to the Treaty of Waitangi, a colonial founding document between Britain and the Maori people, in an alleged breach of protocol. The coalition, led by the New National Party, has pledged to review affirmative action policies, change the names of some departments from Maori to English and amend laws that refer to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. [2]
In his address to the protesters, Rawiri Waititi, co-leader of Te Pati Maori, said: [3]
“This is not a protest, this is an activation. Make our voices heard, let our voices be heard and be proud of who we are today.”
New Zealand Police said that two people involved in the demonstrations had been detained and there were traffic disruptions in many cities, including Auckland. David Seymour, leader of ACT New Zealand, accused Te Pati Maori of being more interested in providing solutions for indigenous people than in “divisive theater”. Seymour said: “This is about New Zealanders electing a government that will treat people equally, regardless of race.” [4]
In the context of these events, the policy changes of the new government in New Zealand and the response of Te Pati Maori could have a profound impact on the social dynamics and political atmosphere in the country.
New Zealand’s elections resulted in a coalition government led by the right-wing National Party replacing the center-left Labour Party. This political change could lead to significant changes in policy and governance in the country. The protests by Te Pati Maori can be seen as a harsh criticism of the government’s policies towards indigenous people.
The fact that Te Pati Maori swore allegiance to the Treaty of Waitangi before pledging allegiance to King Charles highlights New Zealand’s historical and cultural context. The government’s pledge to review affirmative action policies could spark debate on issues of social inequality and discrimination. A key issue may be how Indigenous people will react to these policies and how these changes will affect the balance between groups in society.
Protests, which Te Pati Maori describe as “activations”, illustrate how certain sectors of society can bring together their sensitivities in emotional and cultural contexts. The organization and leadership of such protests can play an important role in giving local people a voice.
As a result, these events can affect New Zealand’s image in the international arena. This may affect the country’s foreign relations and international diplomacy. These events in New Zealand raise an important issue in terms of protecting the rights of indigenous people, respecting cultural heritage and the impact of policy changes on social dynamics. An open and constructive dialogue between government, indigenous leaders and the community can be developed to understand and resolve this situation.
[1] “Thousands Gather in New Zealand to Protest Government’s Indigenous Policies”, Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/5/thousands-gather-in-new-zealand-to-protest-governments-indigenous-policies, (Access Date: 06.12.2023).
[2] Ibıd.
[3] Ibıd.
[4] Ibıd.
