Thousands of New Zealand Maori meet to discuss response to government plans
Wellington, New Zealand Reuters More than 10,000 New Zealand Maori congregated in the central North Island on Saturday to discuss how to respond to government plans that are seen by many Indigenous groups as undermining their rights and status. Maori King Tuheitia, who hosted the event, told attendees their voices matter but it was not […]
New Zealand swears in first Indigenous woman as Governor-General
Wellington, New ZealandReuters New Zealand’s first Indigenous Māori woman to be named Governor-General, Dame Cindy Kiro, was formally sworn into the largely ceremonial role in parliament in Wellington on Thursday, pledging to reach out to migrants and marginalised citizens. Speaking to a small audience at the swearing-in ceremony, Dame Cindy said she was proud of […]
New Zealand to halt removal of “at risk” children from families
Wellington, New ZealandReuters New Zealand said on Wednesday it will put a virtual halt to the practice of taking at-risk children away from their families, a care policy that has long angered its Indigenous Maori community. Children deemed to be facing harm have been moved into state care for decades despite Maori criticism that the […]
New Zealand plans national syllabus on Maori and UK colonial history
Wellington, New ZealandReuters New Zealand’s government on Wednesday proposed that all children learn the history of Maori people and British colonisation in a set course that teachers must follow, ending a system where schools choose how those subjects are taught. Supporters of the change say the country’s history as currently taught tends to gloss over […]
New Zealand city takes down statue of British navy commander
Wellington, New ZealandReuters A New Zealand city on Friday took down a statue of a British navy commander accused of killing indigenous Maori people in the 19th century, as global debate swirls over monuments that represent racial oppression. Statues glorifying colonialists and slave traders have come into focus as part of a broader movement inspired […]
“The time feels right”: Prince Charles welcomed to New Zealand’s founding site of Waitangi
Wellington, New ZealandReuters For Ngati Kawa Taituha, the welcoming of Prince Charles onto the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in New Zealand’s far north on Wednesday marks the latest step towards finally fulfilling the promise of New Zealand’s founding document. Taituha’s ancestors were among the 40 Māori leaders who signed the Treaty of Waitangi with representatives of […]
New Zealand marks Cook’s landing as PM urges “more open” talk on history
Melbourne, AustraliaReuters Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called on Saturday for New Zealand to have a more open conversation about its history, as commemorations kicked off to mark the landing of the British explorer James Cook 250 years ago. Britain delivered a “statement of regret” to Indigenous Maori this week for the killing of nine of […]
Hello? Indigenous Maori have words with Air New Zealand over trademark of phrase
Bangkok, ThailandThomson Reuters Foundation It’s a friendly greeting heard everywhere in New Zealand, but charges of cultural appropriation have pitted Kiwis with indigenous Maori heritage against the national airline, after it sought to trademark a logo with the words “kia ora”. Air New Zealand said the logo with the phrase – which means “good health” […]
New Zealand’s Indigenous Maori protest over “stolen children”
Reuters Wellington, New ZealandReuters Thousands of Maori people protested across New Zealand on Tuesday calling for an end to the practice of taking at-risk children away from their families, as tensions grow between the Indigenous community and the government. Children facing harm have been moved into state care for decades despite criticism from many Maori […]