Up to 50,000 expected to take part in the last stage of the nine-day protest which began last week in opposition to the Treaty of Waitangi bill
New Zealand’s Treaty of Waitangi explained in 30 seconds
A protest march – expected to be one of the largest in New Zealand history – is due to arrive at parliament today, to oppose a controversial bill that could drastically alter the way the country’s founding treaty between Māori and the crown is interpreted.
The hīkoi mō te Tīriti (march for the treaty) began nine days ago at the northern-most tip of the country and has been winding its way down the North Island towards Wellington. Tens of thousands of New Zealanders have turned out on foot, by car or on horseback to support the demonstration along the way, flooding urban centres with the red, white and black of the tino rangatiratanga flag – a national Māori flag that has become a prominent symbol of Māori sovereignty.
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