Weeks-old government dubbed ‘anti-Māori’ as culture wars rage in New Zealand
The New Zealand government has been criticized by the indigenous Maori community for its policies which they have dubbed “anti-Maori.” The criticism stems from controversial reforms to regional council elections, which the Maori argue are intended to suppress their influence in local government. The government has also been accused of “cultural insensitivity,” such as when it seized hundreds of acres of Maori land for a national park without consulting the community. In addition, the government is also facing criticism for its controversial “Best Start” program, which was designed to reduce economic inequalities among New Zealand’s diverse population but which has been accused of disproportionately favoring non-Maori parents. These conflicts have fuelled a wider culture war between the government and Maori communities, which have long seen their language, customs, and culture marginalised in New Zealand politics.