WELLINGTON, Dec 12, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Maori leaders have urged King Charles III to intervene in New Zealand politics, seeking support as they fight a conservative government accused of watering down Indigenous rights.

Representatives of some 80 Maori tribes have signed a joint letter appealing to the British monarch's "sense of justice".

Tens of thousands marched through New Zealand's capital in November, rallying against a conservative push to redefine the nation's founding treaty.

"Your new coalition government elected on 14 October 2023 has promised to attack (the treaty) and the rights of our whanau," read the letter, using a Maori word for family.

"As a constitutional monarch of the crown and a descendant of Queen Victoria, we seek your intervention to ensure that the government does not diminish the crown's honour."

Charles remains New Zealand's head of state but is bound by convention to avoid domestic political meddling.

The letter was sent to Charles in mid-November but came to light on Wednesday evening.

Co-author Margaret Mutu said on Wednesday the letter raised "grave concerns about the actions of the current government".

Mutu said she feared the government's approach was "dividing our relatively peaceful nation".

A minor party in New Zealand's coalition government has drafted a bill to redefine the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi.

Although the bill lacks enough votes to pass into law, its mere introduction has triggered one of New Zealand's largest protests.

Critics of the bill -- including some of New Zealand's most respected lawyers -- see it as an attempt to strip long-agreed rights from the Maori population of 900,000.

Supporters say it will create a more equal country by winding back affirmative action policies.

Maori New Zealanders remain more likely to die early, live in poverty, or wind up in prison.

Seen as the country's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed to bring peace between 540 Maori chiefs and colonising British forces.

Its principles today underpin efforts to foster partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous New Zealanders and protect the interests of the Maori community.

The anniversary of the treaty's signing remains a national holiday.