Protest against 'anti-Maori' policies
Thousands of protesters took to the streets against New Zealand's government's policies toward the Indigenous Maori population. They held demonstrations in Auckland, Wellington, and other cities, accusing P Christopher Luxon's govt of undermining long-standing legal protections.
Names to change from Maori to English
PM Luxon's administration has floated plans to switch the names of some departments from Maori to English and to shutter Te Aka Whai Ora, the Maori health authority.
Review of 1840 Treaty of Waitangi
The New Zealand government is also mulling a review of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, an agreement between British colonial powers and Maori chiefs that protects Indigenous rights.
Protest for future generation
Te Pati Maori (the Maori Party) said that they have to take a stand against all these anti-Maori policies.
"We must also take a stand against all the policies that will destroy the whenua (land) that our mokopuna (future generations) will inherit," said Te Pati Maori.
Traffic halted in Wellington
Traffic was brought to a halt in central Wellington where the streets were packed with protestors, many waving the red-and-black Maori flag and singing the song 'Tutira Mai Nga Iwi', which calls for unity.
Establishment of Maori Parliament
Te Pati Maori called for the establishment of a Maori Parliament after the protests. "We have mobilised our people in a matter of days in a beautiful harmonious activation against this Government," it said in a statement.
"We now begin the process of establishing our own Parliament. Our people will design what this looks like for us, nobody else," it added.