Thousands march to New Zealands parliament in Maori rights protest [Video]

Booming Indigenous Maori “haka” chants rang out across New Zealand’s capital on Tuesday, as thousands rallied against a conservative proposal accused of stoking racial divisions.

An estimated 15,000 demonstrators poured into Wellington from all corners of the country, shutting down busy streets on the final stages of their “hikoi” protest march towards parliament.

Bare-chested men wearing traditional feather cloaks were joined by small children, the elderly and riders on horseback waving the red, white and black Maori flag.

Others with distinctive full-face Maori “moko” tattoos clutched ceremonial wooden weapons.

Protests have been swelling throughout New Zealand after a minor party in the conservative coalition government drafted a bill to redefine the founding Treaty of Waitangi.

Although the bill has almost no chance of passing, its mere introduction has stirred up an uncomfortable reckoning on race relations.

Many critics see it as an attempt to abolish government programs for Maori citizens, …