Māori March for Justice: Protests Over New Zealand’s Treaty Principles Bill
Learn about Māori culture and current issues in New Zealand with this lesson on Indigenous resilience, cultural preservation, and justice.
In November 2024, thousands of Māori people and their supporters marched to New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, to protest a new bill called the Treaty Principles Bill. This bill would change how the Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 between the British Crown and Māori chiefs, is interpreted. Supporters of the bill say it modernizes New Zealand to reflect its multicultural society, but many Māori believe it weakens their rights and ignores the treaty’s promise of partnership.
The protesters argue this bill is part of a larger effort by the government to take away rights that Māori communities have fought hard to win, like health programs and support for the Māori language. The march, known as a hīkoi, brought people together from across the country to call for their voices to be heard and their rights respected.
Key Words
- Treaty of Waitangi: a historic agreement signed in 1840 between the British Crown and Māori chiefs, meant to establish a partnership and protect Māori rights.
- Māori: the Indigenous people of New Zealand (Aotearoa) who have a unique language, culture and traditions.
- Hīkoi: a traditional Māori protest march, often used to raise awareness about important issues and call for action.
- Colonialism: the practice of one country taking control of another, often leading to the suppression of the local people, their culture and their rights.
Discussion Questions
- What is the Treaty Principles Bill, and why are people protesting it?
- Why do some people support the bill, and how do the protesters feel about those reasons?
- What does the Treaty of Waitangi mean to the Māori people, and why is it important to them?
- What other concerns do Māori communities have about the government’s actions?
- How does the Māori language connect to their identity and rights, and why might protesters want to protect it?
The Big Picture
- How can Indigenous communities balance preserving their culture and rights while adapting to modern societal changes?
- What responsibilities do governments and societies have to address historical injustices faced by Indigenous peoples?
Decoding the Headlines
- How does the video present the perspectives of the protesters and the government? Do you think one side is given more emphasis, and why?
- What role does the choice of language (e.g., terms like “controversial bill” or “historic treaty”) play in shaping the audience's understanding of the issue?
Learning from Other Indigenous Communities
Indigenous communities around the world share common challenges tied to colonial histories, including land disputes, cultural preservation and government policies. For this activity, you’ll explore the struggles and resilience of another Indigenous population to better understand these global issues.
Let’s Get Started!
- Learn about an Indigenous Nation: Select one community to research:
- Native Americans in the United States
- Aboriginal Australians
- Sami people in Scandinavia
- First Nations in Canada
- Or any other Indigenous group around the world that you are interested in learning about
- Research Briefly: Use reliable sources to learn about:
- A specific challenge the group faces (e.g., land rights, cultural revival).
- An action or movement they’ve taken to address it.
- Share: Write three to five sentences or share orally:
- The community’s challenge.
- How they’ve worked toward justice or cultural preservation.
More Resources: Indigenous Peoples and Native Americans
Share My Lesson is your go-to resource for indigenous peoples and Native American lesson plans with this free PreK-12 collection of resources.
Andy Kratochvil is an SML team member who loves hiking, video games, scary books, Mexican food, and finding great content for the Share My Lesson community. He studied political science and French at California State University, Fullerton and received his Master’s in International Affairs from... See More
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