New Zealanders celebrate national day amid debate over founding treaty


  • World
  • Thursday, 06 Feb 2025

Anaru Ryall speaks at a protest demanding New Zealand's government to honour the Treaty of Waitangi in Wellington, New Zealand, February 6, 2025. REUTERS/Lucy Craymer

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Thousands gathered across New Zealand on Thursday to celebrate the signing of the country’s founding document and some called for an end to government policies that critics say erode the rights promised to the Indigenous Maori population.

As the sun rose on the dawn service at Waitangi where the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed between the British Crown and Maori chiefs in 1840, some community leaders called on the government to honour promises made 185 years ago.

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