New Zealand and the United States were both British colonies and each country has struggled with the claims of sovereignty for native people. Today, the Maori people in New Zealand make up about 15% of the population. Native Americans make up a little less than 2% of the US population.

I spoke with Sian Elias, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in New Zealand, for KUNM.  We discussed the challenges indigenous groups in both countries have faced when they try to exercise rights guaranteed by native treaties.

New Zealand Supreme Court Justice