Māori protesters turn their backs on government ministers at Waitangi Day event

Anger at policies that roll back Mori rights surface as rightwing Act party leader David Seymour has microphone removed twice and protesters stage walkout

If New Zealand's coalition government had prepared for political fireworks from Indigenous leaders on the eve of the country's national day, they were met with something arguably even louder: turned backs and silence.

Under a blazing hot sun on Wednesday, political leaders gathered at the Waitangi treaty grounds in New Zealand's far north to celebrate Waitangi Day, which marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 1840. The treaty, signed by Mori chiefs and the British Crown is considered New Zealand's founding document and is instrumental in upholding Mori rights.