Protests and Strikes Break Out Nationwide in Response to New Zealand’s First Coalition Budget
Motorways have come to a standstill, roads around Parliament are closed, and additional police have been called in as a day of protest coincides with the delivery of the Budget.
Protest rallies are taking place across New Zealand as workers strike to oppose the “anti-Māori policies” of the Coalition government before Finance Minister Nicola Willis presents her first Budget today.
Organized by Te Pāti Māori (the Māori Party) in collaboration with an activist group called Toitū Te Tiriti (Honour the Treaty), the online statement expressed the intention to “showcase the strength of the Māori economy by completely disconnecting from it.”
Despite the prime minister’s warning that skipping work for the protest would be illegal, party leaders continued to urge Māori individuals to join the strike.
Protesters in most major cities are filling the streets, many waving Rangitiratanga (sovereignty, self-determination) flags.
A protest march caused delays on the Auckland urban motorway this morning, with organizers aiming for “maximum disruption.” Similar delays were experienced in other cities.
Among the grievances of the protesters are objections to the removal of references to the Treaty of Waitangi in legislation, the recent disestablishment of the Māori Health Authority, the repeal of smoke-free laws implemented by Labour, and the Act Party’s attempt to redefine the Treaty principles.
In Wellington, leaders of the Māori Party addressed the crowd, emphasizing the need for support for the party’s proposals and claiming historical injustices against Māori.
Today’s events mark the “Nationwide Activation Day” following a previous meeting that criticized the government’s policies regarding Māori.
In response to the planned protests, Prime Minister Chris Luxon stated his disapproval of the Maori Party’s encouragement to take the day off work for protest, citing concerns about breaching employment laws.
Nevertheless, he emphasized the government’s focus on delivering a budget that benefits all New Zealanders, regardless of their ethnicity.
