Māori MPs Suspended for Haka Protest in NZ Parliament

Introduction

In a groundbreaking move, three Māori Party MPs in New Zealand are facing unprecedented parliamentary suspensions for their powerful haka protest on the floor of the parliament. This protest was in response to an attempt to strip rights given to Māori at New Zealand’s foundation, sparking controversy and debate across the nation.

Key Points

• Three Māori Party MPs in New Zealand face unprecedented parliamentary suspensions for performing a haka protest.
• The protest was in response to an attempt to strip rights given to Māori at New Zealand’s foundation.
• The Māori Party condemned the suspensions, calling them unjust and racially discriminatory.

Historic Suspensions for Māori Party MPs

The New Zealand MPs who protested constitutional reforms with a haka on the floor of parliament will receive suspensions believed to be the most severe ever issued in the institution’s 170-year history. Last November, 22-year-old Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke became a global viral sensation with her animated dismissal of the Treaty Principles Bill, ripping it up and performing the war dance with her Māori Party co-leaders.

Background of the Protest

The Treaty Principles Bill was a failed attempt by the right-wing ACT Party to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi in law that would have stripped rights given to Māori at New Zealand’s foundation. The Māori Party’s cultural protest inside parliament was sent to the privileges committee, which resolved to suspend Maipi-Clarke for a week, and Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, for three weeks each.

Reactions and Consequences

Judith Collins, the attorney-general and committee chair, described it as the toughest punishment ever handed out and “the worst incident that we have ever seen”. The Māori Party condemned the bans as “grossly unjust, unfair, and unwarranted”, highlighting the issue of institutional racism.

Implications and Future Actions

The punishments are likely to be ratified by the parliament and voted through by the government parties. The Māori Party MPs have been unapologetic, refusing to appear before the committee. During their bans, they will not be able to vote in parliament or receive their salary.

Conclusion

The haka protest by the Māori Party MPs in New Zealand’s parliament has sparked intense debate and raised important questions about cultural expression, institutional responses, and the rights of indigenous peoples. The consequences of this historic event will reverberate through the political landscape of New Zealand.

FAQs

• What was the Treaty Principles Bill and why did it spark the haka protest?
• How have the Māori Party MPs responded to the suspensions?
• What are the implications of this event for indigenous rights and cultural expression in New Zealand?