Almost half of New Zealanders believe the government’s policies have exacerbated racial tensions, new opinion polls show, while pressure is growing on the government to deliver policy changes that many fear could undermine Māori rights.

According to the 1News Verian poll released on Monday, 46 percent of voters believe racial tensions have increased as a result of the coalition’s policies. Thirty-seven percent said there had been no change and 10 percent said tensions had decreased. Another 7 percent of respondents said they did not know or did not want to comment.

The poll also asked voters about their preferred prime minister. The poll showed a 5% increase in popularity for Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

Since taking office last year, the right-wing coalition government’s policies towards Māori have sparked numerous protests and mass gatherings by Māori leaders, as well as a conviction by the Waitangi Tribunal, an institution that investigates violations of the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document.

A Guardian analysis has highlighted the scale and impact of the proposed law and policy changes, which have been described as “terrifying” and “dangerous” by Māori leaders and experts.

Lara Greaves, associate professor of political science at Victoria University of Wellington, said the 1News Verian poll showed that many New Zealanders felt the government’s policies were sowing discord between Māori and the Crown or ruling authorities.

“I think this is our version of the culture war,” Greaves said, adding that populist politicians in the US or Europe denounce migrants as a problem, while populists in New Zealand target Māori.

“In the long run, this will only lead to dissatisfaction with the government,” said Greaves.

The government should respond to public opinion and take into account Māori views, Greaves said.

Luxon told Newstalk ZB the poll was “no different” to the results of the poll conducted under the previous government a year ago. The questions were worded differently – the 2023 poll found around 47% of New Zealanders thought racial tensions were getting worse, but the question was not asked specifically in relation to government policy.

The Prime Minister said he was more interested in what the Government would do to improve the situation of Māori and non-Māori children.

“I focus on the results and I don’t think the last six years have been fantastic for Māori,” Luxon said.

The poll was conducted among 1,001 eligible voters between August 10 and 14. It was released on the same day that Luxon and other senior ministers attended the Māori King’s Koroneihana celebrations – the anniversary of his coronation – at Tūrangawaewae, the headquarters of the Māori King’s Movement. The movement was founded in 1858 to unite Māori tribes and preserve culture and land in the face of colonisation. It has no legal power and although the monarch’s role is largely ceremonial, he is also considered the paramount chief of several tribes.

The government faced sharp criticism from Māori leaders at Monday’s event.

Waikato iwi (tribe) leader Tukoroirangi Morgan told Luxon the Government had “turned its back on Māori”, adding: “Since January this year we have watched the Government take a wrecking ball to Māori policy and Māori achievements and undo 50 years of iwi-Crown relations.”

Morgan called on Luxon’s government to block a controversial Treaty of Waitangi Review Bill, which coalition partner Act plans to introduce. Act’s Treaty Principles Bill seeks to redefine the principles arising from the treaty signed by Māori chiefs and the Crown in 1840 that upholds Māori rights.

Luxon assured the crowd that the National Party would not support the bill. NZ First, the third coalition partner, also said it would not support the bill.

“I want to make it clear here today that National will not support the Treaty Principles Bill beyond first reading,” Luxon said.

In his address to Māori King Kiingi Tūheitia, Luxon said he was “very aware” of Māori concerns about his government’s plans.

“In the coming months and years, our relationship will be tested as it has been so many times before, and it will be strained at times because our relationship has always been based on respect, not agreement,” Luxon said.

Greaves said it was a “really positive step” to see ministers attending Māori events, but there was a lot of distrust – particularly from Māori – about whether the government would keep its promises.

“Many people don’t believe them and the politicians – I think that’s an indication of the greater risks of polarisation and populism that exist in New Zealand society.”