Utoo Radio with Other News Sources - November 16, 2024 - New Zealand's parliament has been embroiled in a heated debate over a bill that proposes to alter the interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi between Māori and the crown.

The bill, tabled by the libertarian Act party, aims to remove a set of principles from the treaty, which have been developed over 50 years to guide the relationship between Māori and ruling authorities.

Critics argue that the Act's proposal undermines the treaty and its principles, which they believe threaten Māori rights and promote anti-Māori rhetoric.

The bill has been met with public backlash, with thousands joining a nine-day protest march this week.

More than 40 king's counsel lawyers have also written an open letter to the prime minister and attorney general, urging them to abandon the bill. Act's leader, David Seymour, said the principles "afford Māori different rights from other New Zealanders."

Opposition parties have called on coalition MPs to vote down the bill, with National and New Zealand First ruled out supporting the bill beyond the first reading and select committee process.

The justice committee will hear submissions on the bill, which is expected to take six months before returning to parliament for a second reading.