Representatives of more than 80 Māori tribes have reached out to King Charles III of England to intervene in New Zealand politics amidst growing tensions over the government’s treatment of Māori people. The National Iwi Chairs Forum, a collective of tribal leaders, has sent an open letter to the King expressing concerns over breaches of promises made in the Treaty of Waitangi, a founding document of New Zealand.
Since taking office, New Zealand’s right-wing coalition government has faced backlash for its policies regarding Māori rights, sparking protests and condemnation from the Waitangi Tribunal. Critics fear that rollbacks of Māori language use, dismantling of health equity institutions, and proposed changes to the interpretation of the treaty are eroding Māori rights and damaging the Māori-crown relationship.
The letter to King Charles III highlights the importance of upholding the promises made in the treaty and seeks his intervention to ensure the government respects those agreements. The signatories, including tribal leaders and Māori representatives, express grave concern about the government’s actions and the potential negative impact on Māori families.
The forum hopes that the King, as a descendant of Queen Victoria, will use his influence to remind the government of the importance of honoring the treaty promises. New Zealand’s Minister for Māori Crown Relations and Buckingham Palace have been contacted for comment, but responses are pending.
Overall, the plea to the King reflects Māori frustration over unmet promises and a desire to protect Māori rights and the treaty relationship from further harm. The forum awaits a response from the palace, with the hope that the King will support their cause.
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