Maori protesters criticize New Zealand leaders at treaty celebrations

Maori warriors welcomed government leaders to Waitangi with traditional rituals. Photo: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images AsiaPac

New Zealand's prime minister criticized the Maori crowd amid fears he plans to tear up a British colonial agreement to protect the language and status of indigenous people.

Christopher Luxon was booed members of the Ngāpuhi tribe on Monday after weeks of nationwide protests against his right-wing government.

He has vowed to dismantle the country's Māori Health Authority, minimize the use of his language in public services and lift restrictions on tobacco sales that are disproportionate will affect the Maori population given their high smoking rates.

His government — elected in October after Jacinda Ardern resigned — also intends to «rethink» the Treaty of Waitangi, a pact that Maori chiefs made with the British Crown almost two centuries ago to guarantee their rights and autonomy.

As Mr Luxon and senior government officials traveled to Waitangi, in northern New Zealand, to commemorate the treaty at a commemorative event, clashes soon followed involving Maori.

Maori perform a welcome haka for New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and officials at the Treaty of Waitangi House. Photo: Michael Cunningham/New Zealand Heard

Winston Peters, the deputy prime minister, told one critic to «get educated» and suggested Maori leaders were saying «cr—» about plans to renegotiate the treaty's legal principles.

“Who said we are getting rid of the Treaty of Waitangi? WHO?» he asked. «Stop it, damn it. Stop the nonsense. Stop the hysteria.»

He continued: «Some of us have been here since before you were born, fighting for Maori land rights… that's why we're here.» not to apologize.”

< p>Many in the crowd held signs splattered with fake blood, urging ministers to uphold the treaty that resulted in the creation of New Zealand when more than 500 Maori chiefs signed it in 1840.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters advised one heckler to «get an education»; Photo: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images AsiaPac

The pact has long been a source of controversy as there are key differences in its English and Maori forms.

However, tensions have reached new heights following government plans to redefine the way the treaty affects the law. which caused concern on the part of the Maori King.

David Seymour, the Minister for Regulation, was outraged that the audience sang along to his speech and called him a «joke» and a «mosquito fly». a species of blood-sucking insect.

«You can sing, you can sing, you won't beat any idea by singing,» he said, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Unfortunately, Even Donald Trump doesn't call his opponents mosquitoes. Ideas, not people, should be attacked.»

Mr Luxon told reporters after the event that the crowd did not show «full respect», adding: «It was about as I expected.»< /p>