The United Nations has issued one of its strongest warnings yet to Aotearoa, saying the country is showing “grave signs” of systemic racism, particularly in policies affecting Māori.
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination says recent government decisions – including removing Treaty protections in education, reducing Māori-focused programmes, and shifting health policy away from Māori-led structures – may breach international human-rights obligations.
Prominent Māori leader Lady Tureiti Moxon says the report confirms what Māori communities have been experiencing all year.
“This Government has been dismantling Māori rights piece by piece. Now the world is watching.”
The UN has urged New Zealand to reverse several policies and re-engage with Māori in a meaningful Treaty partnership.
