Maori protests against a government plan to declare traditional territory as public property marked Thursday's annual observation of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Protesters scuffled with officials at two different events. National Party leader Don Brash was hit in the face with mud and was called a racist by Maori leaders. He denied involvement with the white supremacist movement in the U.S.

The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840. Some tribes have reached land and cash settlements over their treaty rights.

Get the Story:
Protests, scuffles mar Waitangi day (The Melbourne Age 2/6)
Brash denies rumour at Waitangi (NZoom 2/6)
Maori flag flies over Waitangi (NZoom 2/6)
Protest doesn't deter Clark (NZoom 2/6)

Relevant Links:
Treaty of Waitangi - http://www.archives.govt.nz/holdings/treaty_frame.html
Waitangi Tribunal - http://www.waitangi-tribunal.govt.nz
Treaty of Waitangi Links - http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/Links/treaty.htm

Related Stories:
N.Z. tribe to sign $10.5M treaty settlement (06/06)
Maori tribe to press government on oil royalties (05/22)
Report: Tribes wrongly denied oil royalties (5/21)
Legislation introduced to settle treaty claim (05/14)
N.Z. finalizes $42 million treaty settlement (03/27)
N.Z. plans to sign $42M treaty this week (3/25)