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Three Maori MPs suspended from NZ parliament for haka

Three Maori MPs suspended from NZ parliament for haka

New Zealand's parliament has voted to enact record suspensions for three Māori MPs who performed a haka to protest a controversial bill.
Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, 22, received a seven-day ban and her colleagues from Te Pāti Māori, the Māori Party, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, are barred for 21 days.
A parliamentary privileges committee in May recommended the suspension of the trio for acting in "a manner that could have the effect of intimidating a member of the house."
Suspending MPs is rare in New Zealand's parliament with only three suspended in the past 10 years, according to parliamentary services. Before Thursday, the longest suspension was for three days.
Last November, 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 Maori Party co-leaders.
While the MPs are suspended, they will not be paid or be able to vote on legislation.
Maipi-Clarke told parliament ahead of Thursday's vote that the suspension was an effort to stop Maori from making themselves heard in parliament.
"Are our voices too loud for this house? Is that the reason why we are being silenced? Are our voices shaking the core foundation of this house? The house we had no voice in building… We will never be silenced and we will never be lost," she said.
Attorney-General Judith Collins, who heads the privileges committee, previously told parliament the haka forced the Speaker to suspend proceedings for 30 minutes and that no permission had been sought to perform it.
"It's not about the haka ... it is about following the rules of parliament that we are all obliged to follow and that we all pledged to follow," Collins said.
The Labour party called for a compromise and proposed censure instead of suspension.
The Treaty Principles Bill was a reform championed by the right-wing ACT Party to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi in law, stripping rights given to Māori at New Zealand's foundation.
While the bill generated unprecedented protests across New Zealand, including tens of thousands marching on parliament, it did not become law.
The National party, led by Prime Minister Chris Luxon, agreed only to introduce the law - but not pass it - as part of a coalition agreement with the ACT party that allowed it to form government.
After months of public consultation and nationwide backlash, National and NZ First, abandoned their support.
with AAP and Reuters
New Zealand's parliament has voted to enact record suspensions for three Māori MPs who performed a haka to protest a controversial bill.
Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, 22, received a seven-day ban and her colleagues from Te Pāti Māori, the Māori Party, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, are barred for 21 days.
A parliamentary privileges committee in May recommended the suspension of the trio for acting in "a manner that could have the effect of intimidating a member of the house."
Suspending MPs is rare in New Zealand's parliament with only three suspended in the past 10 years, according to parliamentary services. Before Thursday, the longest suspension was for three days.
Last November, 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 Maori Party co-leaders.
While the MPs are suspended, they will not be paid or be able to vote on legislation.
Maipi-Clarke told parliament ahead of Thursday's vote that the suspension was an effort to stop Maori from making themselves heard in parliament.
"Are our voices too loud for this house? Is that the reason why we are being silenced? Are our voices shaking the core foundation of this house? The house we had no voice in building… We will never be silenced and we will never be lost," she said.
Attorney-General Judith Collins, who heads the privileges committee, previously told parliament the haka forced the Speaker to suspend proceedings for 30 minutes and that no permission had been sought to perform it.
"It's not about the haka ... it is about following the rules of parliament that we are all obliged to follow and that we all pledged to follow," Collins said.
The Labour party called for a compromise and proposed censure instead of suspension.
The Treaty Principles Bill was a reform championed by the right-wing ACT Party to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi in law, stripping rights given to Māori at New Zealand's foundation.
While the bill generated unprecedented protests across New Zealand, including tens of thousands marching on parliament, it did not become law.
The National party, led by Prime Minister Chris Luxon, agreed only to introduce the law - but not pass it - as part of a coalition agreement with the ACT party that allowed it to form government.
After months of public consultation and nationwide backlash, National and NZ First, abandoned their support.
with AAP and Reuters
New Zealand's parliament has voted to enact record suspensions for three Māori MPs who performed a haka to protest a controversial bill.
Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, 22, received a seven-day ban and her colleagues from Te Pāti Māori, the Māori Party, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, are barred for 21 days.
A parliamentary privileges committee in May recommended the suspension of the trio for acting in "a manner that could have the effect of intimidating a member of the house."
Suspending MPs is rare in New Zealand's parliament with only three suspended in the past 10 years, according to parliamentary services. Before Thursday, the longest suspension was for three days.
Last November, 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 Maori Party co-leaders.
While the MPs are suspended, they will not be paid or be able to vote on legislation.
Maipi-Clarke told parliament ahead of Thursday's vote that the suspension was an effort to stop Maori from making themselves heard in parliament.
"Are our voices too loud for this house? Is that the reason why we are being silenced? Are our voices shaking the core foundation of this house? The house we had no voice in building… We will never be silenced and we will never be lost," she said.
Attorney-General Judith Collins, who heads the privileges committee, previously told parliament the haka forced the Speaker to suspend proceedings for 30 minutes and that no permission had been sought to perform it.
"It's not about the haka ... it is about following the rules of parliament that we are all obliged to follow and that we all pledged to follow," Collins said.
The Labour party called for a compromise and proposed censure instead of suspension.
The Treaty Principles Bill was a reform championed by the right-wing ACT Party to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi in law, stripping rights given to Māori at New Zealand's foundation.
While the bill generated unprecedented protests across New Zealand, including tens of thousands marching on parliament, it did not become law.
The National party, led by Prime Minister Chris Luxon, agreed only to introduce the law - but not pass it - as part of a coalition agreement with the ACT party that allowed it to form government.
After months of public consultation and nationwide backlash, National and NZ First, abandoned their support.
with AAP and Reuters
New Zealand's parliament has voted to enact record suspensions for three Māori MPs who performed a haka to protest a controversial bill.
Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, 22, received a seven-day ban and her colleagues from Te Pāti Māori, the Māori Party, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, are barred for 21 days.
A parliamentary privileges committee in May recommended the suspension of the trio for acting in "a manner that could have the effect of intimidating a member of the house."
Suspending MPs is rare in New Zealand's parliament with only three suspended in the past 10 years, according to parliamentary services. Before Thursday, the longest suspension was for three days.
Last November, 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 Maori Party co-leaders.
While the MPs are suspended, they will not be paid or be able to vote on legislation.
Maipi-Clarke told parliament ahead of Thursday's vote that the suspension was an effort to stop Maori from making themselves heard in parliament.
"Are our voices too loud for this house? Is that the reason why we are being silenced? Are our voices shaking the core foundation of this house? The house we had no voice in building… We will never be silenced and we will never be lost," she said.
Attorney-General Judith Collins, who heads the privileges committee, previously told parliament the haka forced the Speaker to suspend proceedings for 30 minutes and that no permission had been sought to perform it.
"It's not about the haka ... it is about following the rules of parliament that we are all obliged to follow and that we all pledged to follow," Collins said.
The Labour party called for a compromise and proposed censure instead of suspension.
The Treaty Principles Bill was a reform championed by the right-wing ACT Party to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi in law, stripping rights given to Māori at New Zealand's foundation.
While the bill generated unprecedented protests across New Zealand, including tens of thousands marching on parliament, it did not become law.
The National party, led by Prime Minister Chris Luxon, agreed only to introduce the law - but not pass it - as part of a coalition agreement with the ACT party that allowed it to form government.
After months of public consultation and nationwide backlash, National and NZ First, abandoned their support.
with AAP and Reuters

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New Zealand's parliament has voted to enact record suspensions for three Māori MPs who performed a haka to protest a controversial bill. Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, 22, received a seven-day ban and her colleagues from Te Pāti Māori, the Māori Party, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, are barred for 21 days. A parliamentary privileges committee in May recommended the suspension of the trio for acting in "a manner that could have the effect of intimidating a member of the house." Suspending MPs is rare in New Zealand's parliament with only three suspended in the past 10 years, according to parliamentary services. Before Thursday, the longest suspension was for three days. Last November, 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 Maori Party co-leaders. While the MPs are suspended, they will not be paid or be able to vote on legislation. Maipi-Clarke told parliament ahead of Thursday's vote that the suspension was an effort to stop Maori from making themselves heard in parliament. "Are our voices too loud for this house? Is that the reason why we are being silenced? Are our voices shaking the core foundation of this house? The house we had no voice in building… We will never be silenced and we will never be lost," she said. Attorney-General Judith Collins, who heads the privileges committee, previously told parliament the haka forced the Speaker to suspend proceedings for 30 minutes and that no permission had been sought to perform it. "It's not about the haka ... it is about following the rules of parliament that we are all obliged to follow and that we all pledged to follow," Collins said. The Labour party called for a compromise and proposed censure instead of suspension. The Treaty Principles Bill was a reform championed by the right-wing ACT Party to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi in law, stripping rights given to Māori at New Zealand's foundation. While the bill generated unprecedented protests across New Zealand, including tens of thousands marching on parliament, it did not become law. The National party, led by Prime Minister Chris Luxon, agreed only to introduce the law - but not pass it - as part of a coalition agreement with the ACT party that allowed it to form government. After months of public consultation and nationwide backlash, National and NZ First, abandoned their support. with AAP and Reuters New Zealand's parliament has voted to enact record suspensions for three Māori MPs who performed a haka to protest a controversial bill. Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, 22, received a seven-day ban and her colleagues from Te Pāti Māori, the Māori Party, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, are barred for 21 days. A parliamentary privileges committee in May recommended the suspension of the trio for acting in "a manner that could have the effect of intimidating a member of the house." Suspending MPs is rare in New Zealand's parliament with only three suspended in the past 10 years, according to parliamentary services. Before Thursday, the longest suspension was for three days. Last November, 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 Maori Party co-leaders. While the MPs are suspended, they will not be paid or be able to vote on legislation. Maipi-Clarke told parliament ahead of Thursday's vote that the suspension was an effort to stop Maori from making themselves heard in parliament. "Are our voices too loud for this house? Is that the reason why we are being silenced? Are our voices shaking the core foundation of this house? The house we had no voice in building… We will never be silenced and we will never be lost," she said. Attorney-General Judith Collins, who heads the privileges committee, previously told parliament the haka forced the Speaker to suspend proceedings for 30 minutes and that no permission had been sought to perform it. "It's not about the haka ... it is about following the rules of parliament that we are all obliged to follow and that we all pledged to follow," Collins said. The Labour party called for a compromise and proposed censure instead of suspension. The Treaty Principles Bill was a reform championed by the right-wing ACT Party to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi in law, stripping rights given to Māori at New Zealand's foundation. While the bill generated unprecedented protests across New Zealand, including tens of thousands marching on parliament, it did not become law. The National party, led by Prime Minister Chris Luxon, agreed only to introduce the law - but not pass it - as part of a coalition agreement with the ACT party that allowed it to form government. After months of public consultation and nationwide backlash, National and NZ First, abandoned their support. with AAP and Reuters New Zealand's parliament has voted to enact record suspensions for three Māori MPs who performed a haka to protest a controversial bill. Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, 22, received a seven-day ban and her colleagues from Te Pāti Māori, the Māori Party, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, are barred for 21 days. A parliamentary privileges committee in May recommended the suspension of the trio for acting in "a manner that could have the effect of intimidating a member of the house." Suspending MPs is rare in New Zealand's parliament with only three suspended in the past 10 years, according to parliamentary services. Before Thursday, the longest suspension was for three days. Last November, 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 Maori Party co-leaders. While the MPs are suspended, they will not be paid or be able to vote on legislation. Maipi-Clarke told parliament ahead of Thursday's vote that the suspension was an effort to stop Maori from making themselves heard in parliament. "Are our voices too loud for this house? Is that the reason why we are being silenced? Are our voices shaking the core foundation of this house? The house we had no voice in building… We will never be silenced and we will never be lost," she said. Attorney-General Judith Collins, who heads the privileges committee, previously told parliament the haka forced the Speaker to suspend proceedings for 30 minutes and that no permission had been sought to perform it. "It's not about the haka ... it is about following the rules of parliament that we are all obliged to follow and that we all pledged to follow," Collins said. The Labour party called for a compromise and proposed censure instead of suspension. The Treaty Principles Bill was a reform championed by the right-wing ACT Party to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi in law, stripping rights given to Māori at New Zealand's foundation. While the bill generated unprecedented protests across New Zealand, including tens of thousands marching on parliament, it did not become law. The National party, led by Prime Minister Chris Luxon, agreed only to introduce the law - but not pass it - as part of a coalition agreement with the ACT party that allowed it to form government. After months of public consultation and nationwide backlash, National and NZ First, abandoned their support. with AAP and Reuters New Zealand's parliament has voted to enact record suspensions for three Māori MPs who performed a haka to protest a controversial bill. Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, 22, received a seven-day ban and her colleagues from Te Pāti Māori, the Māori Party, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, are barred for 21 days. A parliamentary privileges committee in May recommended the suspension of the trio for acting in "a manner that could have the effect of intimidating a member of the house." Suspending MPs is rare in New Zealand's parliament with only three suspended in the past 10 years, according to parliamentary services. Before Thursday, the longest suspension was for three days. Last November, 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 Maori Party co-leaders. While the MPs are suspended, they will not be paid or be able to vote on legislation. Maipi-Clarke told parliament ahead of Thursday's vote that the suspension was an effort to stop Maori from making themselves heard in parliament. "Are our voices too loud for this house? Is that the reason why we are being silenced? Are our voices shaking the core foundation of this house? The house we had no voice in building… We will never be silenced and we will never be lost," she said. Attorney-General Judith Collins, who heads the privileges committee, previously told parliament the haka forced the Speaker to suspend proceedings for 30 minutes and that no permission had been sought to perform it. "It's not about the haka ... it is about following the rules of parliament that we are all obliged to follow and that we all pledged to follow," Collins said. The Labour party called for a compromise and proposed censure instead of suspension. The Treaty Principles Bill was a reform championed by the right-wing ACT Party to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi in law, stripping rights given to Māori at New Zealand's foundation. While the bill generated unprecedented protests across New Zealand, including tens of thousands marching on parliament, it did not become law. The National party, led by Prime Minister Chris Luxon, agreed only to introduce the law - but not pass it - as part of a coalition agreement with the ACT party that allowed it to form government. After months of public consultation and nationwide backlash, National and NZ First, abandoned their support. with AAP and Reuters

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