Tens of thousands of people have marched to New Zealand's parliament calling for the rights of the indigenous Maori people to be protected.

Traditional chants echoed in the capital on Tuesday.
The peaceful rally was organized to protest a bill reinterpreting the country's founding treaty between Maori tribes and the British Crown. The treaty signed in 1840 promises to protect the interests of the Maori community.

Opponents say if the bill became law, it would undermine Maori rights.

The architect of the bill is a conservative lawmaker who claims the founding treaty gives Maori special rights and discriminates against non-indigenous citizens.

When it was introduced in parliament last week, one Maori lawmaker showed her opposition by tearing up a copy of the bill and performing the Haka, a traditional Maori dance.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said, "There's a strong depth of emotion on all sides of this debate, and yes, it's not something that I like or support."

Maori make up about 20 percent of New Zealand's population and suffer higher levels of poverty and imprisonment than the broader population.