Treaty Principles Bill protesters march on David Seymour's office, block road
· RNZProtesters gathered outside the Auckland office of ACT Party leader David Seymour to oppose the introduction of the Treaty Principles Bill on Thursday.
The controversial Treaty Principles Bill is being introduced on Thursday at parliament, with its first reading set for next week.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will not be in the country during that reading.
About 100 protesters holding signs reading Honour Te Tiriti and 'SHAME' are marching through Newmarket, and started at ACT's Epsom Electorate Office.
They began with a rally in the middle of Gillies Ave, chanting 'Toitu Te Tiriti.'
The bill risks undermining Aotearoa's social fabric with erroneous interpretations of Te Tiriti, protesters told RNZ.
The Treaty Principles Bill being introduced in Parliament on Wednesday bill brings to life ACT policy to enshrine what the Treaty means into law.
The party has long argued the original articles have been interpreted by the courts, the Waitangi Tribunal and successive governments - over decades - in a way that has amplified their significance and influence beyond the original intent.
Māori leaders are furious at the introduction of the bill more than a week earlier than expected, calling the government's move "dishonourable".
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.