Thousands march on New Zealand’s capital as debate over controversial treaty bill intensifies

​​​​​​By Anadolu staff

Thousands of New Zealanders are marching toward the capital to protest as lawmakers began debating a controversial bill on Thursday.

The bill, introduced by the ACT New Zealand Party, a junior partner in the coalition government, was sent to the Justice Committee for further consideration after passing its first reading, according to Associate Justice Minister David Seymour.

The ACT New Zealand Party aims to amend and reinterpret the country’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, which was first signed in 1840 between the British Crown and Māori chiefs.

However, the Māori, the Indigenous people of New Zealand, oppose any amendments or reinterpretations.

A convoy of about 5,000 protesters, who held a demonstration in Auckland on Wednesday before traveling to Hamilton, is now moving toward Wellington to protest the proposed legislation in front of parliament.

The protesters plan to reach Wellington to rally at Parliament on Tuesday, according to the New Zealand Herald.

Opponents of the legislation argue it is detrimental to Indigenous rights, which affect the Māori, who make up around 20% of New Zealand’s population of 5.3 million.

Associate Justice Minister Seymour said the purpose of the Treaty Principles Bill is to allow Parliament to define the treaty's principles.

“The Bill will not alter or amend the Treaty itself. It will be used to assist with the interpretation of legislation where Treaty principles would normally be considered relevant, in addition to legislation that refers to Treaty principles directly," said Seymour.

However, local media reports that the bill lacks broad support in Parliament and does not have enough backing to pass into law.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid