‘Dangerous’ and ‘retrograde’: Māori leaders sound alarm over policy shifts in New Zealand

Experts say policy changes that include scrapping Māori-led programs will harm communities and put New Zealand’s ‘great reputation’ at risk

The policy shifts proposed by the rightwing coalition have been described by experts as “chilling” and “dangerous” and have created a “deeply fractured” relationship between Māori and the crown, or ruling authorities.

The Guardian examined planned changes and policies already initiated in six key sectors. In these areas, the centre-right National party and its minor coalition partners – the libertarian Act and populist NZ First parties – plan changes to more than a dozen policies that directly affect Māori, or will affect them more than any other ethnicity. Policy changes and proposed shifts include scrapping the Māori Health Authority, changes to language use and reviewing the way the Treaty of Waitangi – New Zealand’s founding document – is interpreted and used.

Margaret Mutu, professor of Māori studies at Auckland University, has called the attempt to redefine the treaty principles the “worst assault on Māori I’ve seen in my 40-year career”. Natalie Coates, co-president of the Māori Law Society, said the government was undertaking a “systematic legislative attack” on Māori that would leave a “deep wound”.

Broadly, Māori initiatives were defunded or scaled back. It included scrapping Māori-based approaches to reducing agricultural emissions, $60m cut from Māori housing programs and a 45% cut to the Māori new year public holiday.

Act wants the principles that have flowed from the Treaty of Waitangi to include all New Zealanders, believing the current principles give people different rights based on birth. Many Māori leaders say such changes would amount to a modern-day confiscation of treaty rights and prioritise those who already hold power.