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Three Māori MPs suspended for haka protest in New Zealand parliament
Three members of New Zealand’s Māori Party have been suspended from parliament for performing a haka during a legislative session in protest against a controversial bill.
Haka disrupts session over treaty bill
Opposition MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke performed the haka after being asked whether her party supported a bill aimed at redefining the Treaty of Waitangi. The treaty, signed in 1840, is a foundational document between Māori tribes and the British Crown. The proposed legislation sought to reinterpret its terms, sparking strong backlash from Māori leaders and communities.
Maipi-Clarke received a seven-day suspension for her protest. Her party’s co-leaders, Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, were handed 21-day bans each for their participation and defiance of parliamentary rules.
Treaty bill fails, tensions persist
The bill in question has since been rejected by parliament, but the incident highlighted growing tensions between indigenous rights advocates and lawmakers supporting constitutional changes. The Māori Party had fiercely opposed the bill, calling it a direct threat to indigenous sovereignty and historical agreements.
A political flashpoint over Māori identity
The haka—a traditional war dance—is widely seen as a symbol of Māori identity and resistance. Its use in parliament is rare and considered a strong form of political expression. Parliamentary Speaker Gerry Brownlee defended the suspension, citing breaches of conduct and parliamentary order.
Critics argue that the disciplinary action undermines Māori cultural expression in political spaces. Supporters of the suspension say the rules must apply equally to all members.
The event has ignited national debate about the role of indigenous customs in modern governance and the limits of parliamentary protest.