MPs set to debate on Te Pāti Māori trio's fate
Te Pāti Māori MPs , Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi and Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke face ACT MPs as they perform the haka last year. Photo: VNP/Louis Collins
Parliament has begun debating proposed punishments for three members of Te Pāti Māori party after they performed a haka during the reading of a controversial Bill last year.
The MPs were reacting to the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill. Introduced by coalition partner ACT, the Bill aimed to clarify the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) and to establish a clear legal framework for how these principles should be understood and applied in New Zealand law.
Some critics argued the Bill undermined Māori rights and would disrupt established interpretations of the Treaty. The Bill was defeated at its second reading last month.
The Privileges Committee has recommended to the Speaker that party co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngārewa-Packer, and MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke (who led the haka Ka Mate but showed contrition) receive stand-downs of 21 and seven sitting days, respectively.
Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee set out the parameters of the debate last week, including that all 123 MPs be allowed to speak.
There is concern there will be filibustering. If any amendment is put forward, MPs would then be allowed to speak again. Such amendments could include a change to the length of the suspensions. The debate could go on well into the night - or even for weeks.
If the debate is still going at 10pm today, Brownlee will decide whether it continues tomorrow or is adjourned until June.
Parliament's public gallery will be closed today, but a protest is planned on the forecourt in Wellington.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has flatly rejected any concessions being made and doubled down this morning, saying the government stands by the recommendations in the privileges committee report.
Iwi say a suspension of Te Pāti Māori MPs is a "punishment for being unapologetically Māori".
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