Watch: Haka protest disrupts New Zealand’s parliament
Spectator (UK)11 hrs
Thousands Rally in New Zealand to Protest Cuts in Māori Funding
Image copyright: Fiona Goodall/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets on Thursday across New Zealand to express their opposition to what they allege are efforts from the center-right coalition government to dismantle Māori rights.
In the wake of this mass anti-government protest, the Māori Party issued a declaration of political independence to assert Māori sovereignty and start the process of establishing a Māori parliament.
The Spin
Narrative A
With the Budget 2024, the coalition government has made good on its electoral promise to give New Zealanders their first tax cuts in 14 years as they endure a prolonged cost-of-living crisis, benefitting low and middle-income households and families with young children the most. Māori or not, everyone will be in a better position now.
Narrative B
While tax cuts included in this year's budget do benefit white New Zealanders, this isn't true for the Māori people as the package targets employed people. As public departments will have to cut their costs, thousands of public service staff will lose their jobs — and that's particularly harmful to the Māori.