WAITANGI, New Zealand (AP) 鈥 In a fiery exchange at the birthplace of modern New Zealand, Indigenous leaders on Monday strongly criticized the government's approach to Maori, ahead of the country鈥檚 national day.
The holiday, known as Waitangi Day, is held on Feb. 6 to mark the anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi, a foundation document signed by British colonists and Maori chiefs in 1840 that establishes and guides the relationship between New Zealand鈥檚 government and its Indigenous population.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and other members of his right-leaning coalition government visited the historic treaty grounds for a public meeting with Maori leaders on Monday.
The gathering unfolded amid months of protests against the government鈥檚 proposals to review the treaty and implement potential changes to how it affects modern laws.
, Luxon鈥檚 香港六合彩挂牌资料 Party-led government foreshadowed policies to roll back the use of Maori language and Maori-specific public services, and redefine the impact of the treaty on the legal system.
The policy proposals have sparked , which culminated in a call for unity from the Maori king through a rare royal proclamation in December.
A local Maori tribe welcomed Luxon on Monday with a spirited 鈥渉aka鈥 鈥 a traditional dance or challenge accompanied by a chant 鈥 and song, before Maori speakers urged the government to change its course.
鈥淥ur sneaky strategy is to say it time and time and time again in every forum so that it catches your conscious and subconscious: that is to protect the Treaty of Waitangi,鈥 said Rahui Papa, a Maori leader.
Several thousand people attended the event, with some reportedly holding signs splattered with fake blood, urging the government to 鈥渉onor the treaty.鈥
Luxon said the treaty remains an important part of the country鈥檚 future and called on all New Zealanders to 鈥渧alue our differences."
鈥淭he treaty is our past, present and future. It has shaped the country we have become, and the obligations it imposes on both sides will always be with us,鈥 he said on Monday.
鈥淗owever, we must aspire to go forward not as two sides, but together as New Zealanders because there is more that unites us than divides us,鈥 Luxon added.
