In a dramatic display, Māori lawmakers performed a haka, tearing apart a controversial bill during a parliamentary session, showcasing their community's concerns over the legislation.
Māori Parliament Protest: A Haka Against Controversial Bill
Māori Parliament Protest: A Haka Against Controversial Bill
Tensions rise in New Zealand's Parliament as Māori lawmakers express their opposition to a bill reinterpreting the Treaty of Waitangi through a powerful traditional haka.
New Zealand's Parliament witnessed a charged moment on Thursday as members of the Māori community voiced their strong opposition to a proposed bill intended to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi, a foundational document signed in 1840 between Māori chiefs and the British Crown. The bill has sparked fears among Māori lawmakers regarding its implications for Indigenous rights and historical grievances.
The protest was led by Member of Parliament Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, who dramatically tore up her copy of the bill during its first reading. She launched into a haka, a traditional Māori dance that conveys deep emotions and is often used to show defiance. This led to a notable moment of solidarity, as other opposition lawmakers and supporters in the gallery joined her in the performance.
The session was interrupted by Speaker Gerry Brownlee, who subsequently suspended the parliamentary proceedings, labeling the act as disrespectful. Maipi-Clarke has a history of incorporating Māori culture into her parliamentary actions, having previously performed a haka after her election in 2023.
The bill, introduced by the right-wing Act party and supported by the ruling coalition, seeks to eliminate special provisions based on ethnicity, asserting a vision of equality. Critics argue, however, that the legislation risks undermining years of progress in addressing historical injustices faced by the Māori population, who currently represent approximately 20% of New Zealand's 5.3 million residents.
Widespread concern surrounding the bill has prompted nationwide protests, culminating in rallies in Wellington earlier this week, where thousands expressed their discontent. Despite the National Party's attempts to dissociate from the legislation, party leaders had previously agreed to its introduction as part of their coalition with Act.
While the bill advanced in Parliament on Thursday, its future remains uncertain, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressing his desire for it to be rejected in further discussions. “You do not go and negate, with a single stroke of a pen, 184 years of debate and discussion with a bill that I think is very simplistic,” he remarked prior to the session. As the debate continues, the conflict over the proposed measures highlights the ongoing struggle for Māori rights and recognition in New Zealand society.
The protest was led by Member of Parliament Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, who dramatically tore up her copy of the bill during its first reading. She launched into a haka, a traditional Māori dance that conveys deep emotions and is often used to show defiance. This led to a notable moment of solidarity, as other opposition lawmakers and supporters in the gallery joined her in the performance.
The session was interrupted by Speaker Gerry Brownlee, who subsequently suspended the parliamentary proceedings, labeling the act as disrespectful. Maipi-Clarke has a history of incorporating Māori culture into her parliamentary actions, having previously performed a haka after her election in 2023.
The bill, introduced by the right-wing Act party and supported by the ruling coalition, seeks to eliminate special provisions based on ethnicity, asserting a vision of equality. Critics argue, however, that the legislation risks undermining years of progress in addressing historical injustices faced by the Māori population, who currently represent approximately 20% of New Zealand's 5.3 million residents.
Widespread concern surrounding the bill has prompted nationwide protests, culminating in rallies in Wellington earlier this week, where thousands expressed their discontent. Despite the National Party's attempts to dissociate from the legislation, party leaders had previously agreed to its introduction as part of their coalition with Act.
While the bill advanced in Parliament on Thursday, its future remains uncertain, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressing his desire for it to be rejected in further discussions. “You do not go and negate, with a single stroke of a pen, 184 years of debate and discussion with a bill that I think is very simplistic,” he remarked prior to the session. As the debate continues, the conflict over the proposed measures highlights the ongoing struggle for Māori rights and recognition in New Zealand society.
