New Zealand Maori oppose controversial bill

ANKARA

New Zealand’s indigenous Maori people have expressed their opposition to a parliamentary bill that could change their fate.

The long-running conflict between Maori and Western settlers, who had controlled their land for centuries, began with the arrival of British naval officer James Cook during his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean in October 1769.

Disputes arising from European settlers’ disregard for indigenous customs triggered debates that lasted 250 years.

Following a Maori rebellion, approximately 500 Maori leaders began negotiations with representatives of the British Crown, resulting in the Treaty of Waitangi, signed on 6 February 1840. The agreement has remained a controversial issue ever since.

Sovereignty issues

The treaty, which deals with sovereignty, administration and relations with the British Crown, has two versions, one in English and the other in Maori.

However, differences between texts resulting from the lack of perfect translation continue to increase disagreements over the application of translation.

University of Canterbury professor David Small told Anatolia that there were fundamental differences between the versions, especially in the sovereignty clauses.

The English version claims that the Maori ceded absolute sovereignty to the British monarchy, while the Maori version ensures the preservation of Tino Rangatiratanga, a Maori phrase meaning “absolute sovereignty”.

Bill to amend the Treaty of Waitangi

A bill to amend the Treaty of Waitangi, introduced by the ACT New Zealand party, the junior partner in the ruling centre-right coalition government, had its first reading earlier this month and was referred to the Justice Committee, according to Deputy Justice Minister David Seymour. .

ACT New Zealand is seeking to amend and reinterpret the Treaty of Waitangi.

Maori people are opposed to such changes, as demonstrated by nine days of protests involving nearly 40,000 participants.

Maori MPs also performed a haka (a traditional ceremonial group dance) performance last Thursday to disrupt a vote on the controversial bill.

Professor Margaret Mutu from the University of Auckland, who is also of Maori origin, said protests similar to Anatolia had occurred before, for example in 1975.

“That’s why the New Zealand government was so embarrassed that their racism was being reflected around the world, and that’s why they set up a Waitangi Tribunal,” Mutu said.

He said the bill’s principles were “the worst” of the laws that deprive Māori of many rights, including healthcare.

“You will only be known as Maori when the white parliament passes a law that you can be.

“In other words, our right to be Māori has been taken away from us,” he added.

Mutu warned that if the bill passed, the Treaty of Waitangi would be abolished and replaced by a white supremacist regime.

“After all, we are the rulers of this country and, in fact, we are responsible for the welfare of the country.

“So when things go wrong, as they are right now, it’s our responsibility to fix it, and that’s what we’re doing,” he said.

Seymour claims the bill promotes equality, but Mutu argued that the current agreement emphasizes “this is a Maori country” and invites others to live peacefully with Maori.

“So it’s not about equality. It’s about the whites being on top of us, oppressing us, and the Maori staying where we are, being oppressed.”

“This is David Seymour’s equation. “This has nothing to do with equality,” he added.

Maori still optimistic

“I can actually see a bright future for the Maori world but it has nothing to do with the Luxon government. It’s the fact that our Maori people will establish our own institutions where we can come together and make our own decisions,” Mutu said. in question.

Young Maori “will not tolerate white supremacy or anything that tells them they can’t succeed, that they can’t be healthy, rich and prosperous,” he said.

Small noted that as the number of Maori members in parliament increases, awareness of the challenges facing Maori people increases.

*Serdar Dincel’s article

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