Tensions simmer as criticism mounts against the 'anti-Māori' New Zealand government
A wave of change is rolling in as new Prime Minister Christopher Luxon embarks on his right-leaning journey with National, drawing attention from observers. Critics view the shift as prioritizing Māori interests, leading to a swift ire. Māori leaders, pained by moves to dismantle their health bureau, restrict the Māori language, and loosen tobacco regulations aiming to decrease smoking rates in their community, have fired back.
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Co-Leader of the Māori Party, shouted out from within Parliament, “Your attacks on our culture strengthen our unity!” In response, Māori King Tūheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII issued a royal proclamation, calling for a ‘National Hui’—a meeting of Indigenous New Zealanders, to "hold the new coalition government to account."
Throughout the country, thousands of people participated in impromptu protests organized by Ngarewa-Packer's party. Said Ngarewa-Packer to CNN about the December 5 demonstrations, “It was a dignified ambush. We can do that at short notice.”
“Do you think the Prime Minister will listen?” she continued. “He must,” she added, implying the world is watching Luxon's leadership.
"I think it's a humbling position to be the first Prime Minister," she stated.
Luxon acknowledged criticism on a press conference that day, stating, “The criticism against our new government is quite unfair.” He maintained, “We are confident that the Māori will do better under our government than in the last six years.”
Ardern's Legacy and the Backlash
Following her resignation in January and the passionate plea by Chris Hipkins to pivot towards addressing cost-of-living crises, Labour has faced increasing challenges to maintain power. Despite Ardern's global popularity due to her compassionate response to the Christchurch terror attacks, changes in infrastructure planning in Auckland led to accusations of mismanagement, as well as complaints from landowners and farmers regarding agricultural emission and waterway legislation.
Promised concessions from the neoconservative coalition government, led by National, New Zealand First, and ACT, to reverse parts of Ardern's legacy stoked tensions. The opposition party rejected this, while Labour viewed it as a continuation of the ongoing principle of shared governance, fostering Māori representation in executive bodies.
Matters deepened as election deals were made to consolidate Luxon's minor gains, with the announcement of a 100-day plan in late November. Included within were plans to rollback initiatives supportive of Māori, including dissolving the Māori Health Authority established in 2022.
The plan also included a challenge to Ardern's landmark 2009 tobacco sales ban—a move perceived as further marginalizing Māori, as around 20% of the adult Māori population smoke compared to the 8% national average.
Accountability and Retribution
Organizations supportive of Māori Women, such as the Māori Women's Welfare Alliance, have vowed to hold Luxon and his administration accountable. Hope Tupara, the alliance's president, stated, “You can't just turn bureaucracy destruction into better Māori health.”
Tupara highlighted Labor's increased state investments in Māori-led health solutions and affirmed the importance of government-provided services. Meanwhile, Richard Shaw, the Massey University's politics professor, labeled the new government the most explicit "anti-Māori" in memory.
The Cultural War
Sustained criticism and the mixed-member electoral system, which sees parties rarely governing alone, resulted in a Sept. 14 vote for Hipkins, but few victories to euphoria. National gained approximately 38% of the votes and was forced into a coalition with smaller, more conservative parties New Zealand First and ACT.
Critics have labeled the new government political posturing targeting Māori rights by foisting the Māori as a wedge issue. Despite Luxon's denials of pursuing such a policy, calls to end bilingual signage and discredit the Treaty of Waitangi hint at divisive intentions, creating an uneasy moment in New Zealand's cultural debate.
However, Ngarewa-Packer, of the Māori Party, maintains hope for seizing the momentum and galvanizing support by drawing allies from diverse constituencies, both Māori and non-Māori. She concluded, “In less than 72 hours, we've mobilized thousands of people nationwide without resources, to see if we have the capacity and ability to mobilize this coalition.”
