Although the bill is unlikely to pass, opponents say bid to reverse progress for Maori threatens to divide society.

The Treaty Principles Bill seeks to revise New Zealand’s foundational agreement with Maori people and is hugely unpopular, with even the prime minister deriding it.

Kingi, a key leader of the protests, spoke to the crowd, saying: "The Maori nation has been born today." He stressed a return to traditional Maori leadership values. Although the bill was introduced,