Controversy Surrounding the Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand

New Zealand is currently facing significant unrest related to proposed changes to the Treaty of Waitangi, a foundational document that established relations between the Maori people and British colonizers. This treaty, signed in 1840, has two different versions—one in English and one in te reo—which have led to ongoing political and social tensions. Maori MPs have expressed their resistance to proposed legislative reforms through a haka, showcasing their dissatisfaction with the potential alterations that strip them of sovereignty and joint decision-making rights. The controversy is compounded by the fact that New Zealand does not have a formal written constitution, allowing governments to make sweeping changes without necessary consultative processes.