(CTN News) – Thousands of people in New Zealand have protested against the government’s alleged violation of Māori rights.
The demonstrations occurred on Thursday when the center-right coalition government released its first budget, which included tax cuts and cutbacks in areas such as housing and conservation.
The finance minister defended budget cuts for Māori programs, stating that new initiatives would benefit all New Zealanders.
Since taking office in October, the New Zealand government has been accused of undermining indigenous people’s agency.
Protests known as hikoi occurred in cities such as Wellington, Auckland, Tauranga, and Christchurch. Some took place in car convoys on highways, interrupting traffic.
Some individuals flew the red, white, and black Māori flag, symbolizing Māori independence.
“We are here to have a voice and back those who are collectively working to make things right, not just for us Māori but for the people of New Zealand,” one demonstrator, Christina Taurua, told AFP news agency outside the parliament buildings in Wellington.
Demonstrators expressed concern over the rapid dismantling of political policies and projects, such as a new entity to enhance Māori health services.
“All of a sudden, they just come along with the click of a finger and change some of these laws,” Ethan Smith told Radio New Zealand in Auckland.
“We want them to have a sit-down with us… so we can thrash out these issues and come to a better resolution for everybody.”
This is the second protest since the new government seized control, but this time with a larger turnout.
On Thursday, the Māori Party, one of six parties in New Zealand’s parliament, declared political independence and announced plans to establish a new parliament for the Māori people.
They added that this will be part of efforts to transform New Zealand into a nation that respects Indigenous sovereignty “and creates a safe home for all peoples.”
Statistics New Zealand reports that approximately 17% of the population identify as Māori.
Māori people continue to have disadvantages compared to the overall population in terms of health outcomes, household income, education levels, incarceration rates, and mortality. The life expectancy disparity stands at seven years.
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, leader of one of the three coalition parties, criticized the Māori Party for protesting outside parliament instead of attending the budget hearing.
The speaker criticized the Māori Party’s president in 2005 for describing the party’s emergence as “unfortunate and frustrating” and labeling supporters as “tribal fundamentalists,” citing irony and hypocrisy.
The new governing coalition’s leaders had stated that they did not want to divide the country based on race.
Minister of Finance Nicola Willis refuted claims that the new budget overlooked Māori development.
“This is a budget that delivers for Māori because when a New Zealander turns up to an emergency room or a school, they don’t turn up thinking about their ethnicity,” she stated.
Former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, head of the Labour Party, the country’s largest opposition party, disagreed, claiming that the budget provided nothing for health and education.
“In New Zealand, we collaborate for the benefit of the many, not the few,” the opposition politician stated. “This budget does not deliver in that spirit.”