Treaty Principles Bill hīkoi arrives in Nelson
Richmond's Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tuia te Matangi students at the top of Trafalgar St on Thursday. Photo: Gordon Preece.
The masses are undeterred by the rain at the top of Trafalgar St today to voice their opposition to a government bill that has vexed Māori for months.
The protest is part of a resounding national hīkoi opposing the ACT party’s Treaty Principles Bill and other government policies that could impact Māori.
The bill was first pledged in November, 2023, following the coalition agreement between the National Party, ACT and New Zealand First.
It was introduced to Parliament on 7 November, and is up for its first reading on Thursday, before being referred to a select committee for a six-month select committee process.
The bill endeavours to redefine the principles of Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding document Te Tiriti O Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi), and it could impose ramifications on the partnership between the Crown and Māori.
Whakatū Nelson’s day of protest is the final stop of the hīkoi’s Te Wai Pounamu (South Island) version which set off from Bluff on Tuesday before descending on Invercargill, Dunedin and Christchurch.