Waitangi Day: Record crowds expected amid tensions over Maori politics in New Zealand | New Zealand

Organizers of New Zealand’s national day commemorating the signing of the country’s founding treaty between Maori tribes and the British crown are expecting record attendance in 2025, after a year of growing tensions over the government’s policy direction at home. towards the Maoris.

In February, tens of thousands of people are expected to travel to Waitangi, in New Zealand’s Northland region, to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, signed by Maori leaders and the British Crown in 1840 and which plays a decisive in respecting the rights of the Maori. .

The 2025 event is expected to surpass last year’s record attendance, when 80,000 people came to Waitangi from across the country.

Although some will be there for a show of force against the coalition government, which many fear will roll back Māori rights and undermine treaty promises, participation will not be driven entirely by anger, Waitangi chair Pita Tipene said. National Trust, which manages the grounds and events.

“The atmosphere is getting more and more festive…and people know they can come there, bring their kids and grandkids and have a good time.” »

Still, Tipene hopes people will think about what the day means. The Waitangi event is as much a festival as it is a forum for political debate on sovereignty, equality and history. It has often been the scene of demonstrations, with Māori protesting the lack of progress made in tackling inequality and continued breaches of the treaty.

“As much as we want people to have fun…let’s just remember what it’s about and celebrate national identity however we see fit.”

The signing of the treaty has been commemorated as a public holiday on February 6 since 1974, with events across the country and an official multi-day celebration held at the Waitangi grounds where the treaty was signed.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his coalition partners faced protests and boos at the 2024 event, which set the tone between Māori and the government for the rest of the year and culminated in the largest protest against Māori rights in New Zealand history. .

In December, Luxon announced that it would not attend the 2025 event at Waitangi, preferring to attend smaller events in different parts of the country – a decision which sparked accusations of cowardice from parties in opposition.

“I have been in Waitangi for two years, including my first year as Prime Minister, so next year I have decided to go to another part of the country,” he said in a communicated at the time.

“Waitangi Day is of national significance and I look forward to joining New Zealanders in celebrating it in other regions. »

Other prime ministers have skipped official celebrations in the past, including Helen Clark, John Key and Bill English. Luxon said senior government officials would attend events across the country, including on the ground.

But Luxon’s decision was disappointing and, as head of government, he should be there, Tipene said.

“Particularly given the current political situation, where the Treaty Principles Bill is being considered and there is a lot of angst in our society in general. »

The Coalition Government’s broader policy direction towards Māori – including a radical rollback of policies designed to improve Māori health and wellbeing – has attracted strong criticism. Few policies have angered Māori as much as the Treaty Principles Bill, which proposes to radically change the way the treaty is interpreted. The bill does not have widespread support and is unlikely to become law. However, its introduction has angered many who believe it is divisive and undermines the treaty.

Luxon’s absence would be a missed opportunity to continue the conversation between Māori leaders and the government, Tipene said.

“We would rather focus on what national identity is and paint a clearer vision of where we are going as a country, especially as we fast approach the bicentenary of the signing (of the treaty ).”