As the sun arced above the Waitangi grounds, boring down on the lush green peninsula where Māori and the British Crown forged a nation in 1840, New Zealand’s new government faced the heat – less from above and more from the blaze of alarm over its plans for Māori, which many fear could result in a rollback of rights.
Political leaders gathered at the grounds this week to celebrate Waitangi Day, New Zealand’s national day, which marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 1840. The treaty is considered a founding document of New Zealand and upholds Māori rights.
