Thousands of New Zealanders march against Maori treaty bill

A protest march estimated to be one ofthe largest in New Zealand history arrived at its parliament yesterday, flooding the grounds with song in a display of unity against a contro Versial bill seeking to reinterpret the country's founding treaty between Maori and the crown.

- Eva Corlett

Police said about 42,000 people took part in what was likely to have been New Zealand's largest-ever protest in support of Maori rights.

If passed into law, the treaty principles bill would radically alter the way the Treaty of Waitangi is interpreted. The treaty is an agreement signed in 1840 between more than 500 Maori chiefs and the crown and is instrumental in upholding Maori rights.

The bill is a flagship policy of the minor libertarian Act party - which forms part of the coalition government - and seeks to get rid of the well-established principles in favour of its own, redefined principles.

As the first group of marchers reached parliament just before midday, the crowd stretched about 2km through the city, colouring the sky-line with the red, white and black of the tino rangatimtanga flag - the national Maori flag. Protesters carried placards calling on the government to honour the treaty and "kill the bill", while singing and haka broke out as people moved through the streets.