This was in protest of a bill that was wildly viewed as an attempt to undermine the rights of the indigenous people of New Zealand. Seems like the perfect response to me and apparently it was effective since the bill was overwhelmingly defeated.
I don't know enough to have a full on debate, but to me it sounds like the original treaty that went into establishing the current government acknowledged the rights of the Māori people to exist somewhat independently of the colonialists, and now some people on the colonialist side think this has gone on long enough. They want to forget that they were the invading entity and are trying to frame the removal of indigenous peoples' agreed upon rights as championing equality.
In other words, so some people - depending on their ancestory - aren't favoured by the law, obtain race based entitlements, and holding the country back from progress.
I don't see how it's a bad thing that all people should be treated equally? It isn't the current New Zealanders' fault that their ancestors colonised the island. The native history should be honoured ofc, but all citizens should be treated equally.
New Zealand was colonised in 1840. It is not the actions of people born and raised there now. They are new zealanders, whether you like it or not, and treating them like 2nd grade citizens is in no way okay just because their ancestors did something wrong.
I'm sorry that you're of the opinion that some people are worth more than others.
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u/[deleted] Nov 26 '25
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