New Zealanders, in common with people around the globe, have been demonstrating in support of Palestinians.

In Auckland in the 17th week of Aotearoa New Zealand’s solidarity demonstrations, Pacific protesters were especially prominent, demanding a ceasefire in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.

Flags of Fiji, Tonga and West Papua were featured alongside the sea of Palestinian banners and at least one group declared themselves “Tongans for Palestine – Long live the intifada”.

The rally in Auckland’s Te Komititanga – aka Britomart Square, an urban rail transport hub – drew a crowd of about 250 in the heart of the country’s largest city shopping precinct.

Thousands of people have been taking part in the weekly protest rallies and marches across New Zealand since the war on Gaza began after a deadly attack on Israel last 7 October following 75 years of repression and occupation since the Nakba – the “catastrophe” – in 1948.

South Africa has warned that Israel is ignoring the World Court’s “on notice” genocidal orders about its war on Gaza.

The death toll at the time of the protest was more than 27,000 and more than 900 Palestinians had been killed just since the ICJ (International Court of Justice) ruled that Israel must take steps to prevent civilian deaths.

Speakers at this particular demonstration drew parallels between the Zionist settler colonial project in Palestine and New Zealand’s colonial history, saying the Waitangi Treaty was now under threat from New Zealand’s most right-wing government in history.

The protest came just two days before Waitangi Day (6 February), the national holiday marking the signing of the foundational Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 between the British Crown and 500 traditional Māori chiefs.

“There are many things we can do in Aotearoa to stand on the right side of history,” said one of the organisers, Josie Sims of Solidarity Action Network Aotearoa (SANA).

“We’re calling on the NZ Defence Force to refuse their orders to go to Yemen. We’re asking for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and we’re asking that this government takes a clear position on an immediate ceasefire.”

Protesters directed their criticism at the nearby American McDonalds and Starbucks fast food and coffee outlets for allegedly supporting genocide. They are among many companies being boycotted worldwide. [See story: “New Zealand app has overseas users”]

“Maccas, Maccas, you can’t hide, you’re making meals for genocide,” chanted the protesters in reference to the global chain providing free meals to the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) troops engaged in the assault on Gaza.