Latest news with #Hana-RawhitiMaipi-Clarke
Roya News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Three Māori MPs suspended from New Zealand Parliament over haka protest
New Zealand's Parliament has imposed suspensions on three Māori lawmakers following a protest haka during a legislative session last year. Opposition MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke was suspended for seven sitting days, while her Te Pāti Māori co-leaders, Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, were barred from participating in parliamentary proceedings for 21 days. The penalties stem from a haka the trio performed in protest against the controversial Treaty Principles Bill during its first reading in November. The bill, which has since been rejected by Parliament, aimed to redefine the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi — New Zealand's founding agreement between the British Crown and Māori chiefs, signed in 1840. The proposal triggered nationwide backlash and drew tens of thousands of demonstrators to the steps of Parliament, making it one of the largest protests in recent history. 'We have been punished for being Māori,' Ngarewa-Packer told the BBC, condemning the suspensions. 'We take on the stance of being unapologetically Māori and prioritising what our people need or expect from us.' Maipi-Clarke, the youngest MP at age 22, became emotional during Thursday's heated session. 'We will never be silenced, and we will never be lost,' she said, holding back tears. 'Are our voices too loud for this house – is that why we are being punished?' The suspensions are the longest ever handed down in New Zealand's parliamentary history — the previous record stood at just three days. The decision follows a recommendation from a parliamentary committee last month, which argued the haka disrupted proceedings and may have 'intimidated' other MPs. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has pushed back against claims that the move was racially motivated. 'This is not about haka,' he said at the time. 'It's about parties not following the rules of Parliament.' Still, tensions between the government and the Māori community have been rising. Critics of the Luxon-led conservative coalition accuse it of scaling back support for Māori initiatives, including plans to dismantle a health body focused on improving outcomes for indigenous populations. Luxon has defended his administration's record, pointing to investments in education and housing as evidence of his government's commitment to Māori wellbeing. The Treaty Principles Bill, introduced by the right-wing ACT Party, was the flashpoint that ignited the current unrest. Proponents argued the Treaty has led to racial division and requires reinterpretation in a modern, multicultural context. Opponents warned the bill would erode hard-won protections for Māori and set back efforts toward equity and reconciliation. The public outcry culminated in a nine-day hīkoi, a traditional protest march, which began in New Zealand's far north and ended in Wellington. By its conclusion, more than 40,000 people had joined.
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
New Zealand parliament suspends three Maori Party politicians over haka protest
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke received a seven-day ban and the leaders of her political party, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, were barred for 21 days. Three days had been the longest ban for a politician from New Zealand's parliament before. The lawmakers from Te Pati Maori, the Maori Party, performed the haka, a chanting dance of challenge, in November to oppose a widely unpopular bill, now defeated, that they said would reverse Indigenous rights. The protest drew global headlines and provoked months of fraught debate about what the consequences for the politicians' actions should be and the place of Maori culture in Parliament. A committee in April recommended the lengthy bans. It said they were not being punished for the haka, but for striding across the floor of the debating chamber toward their opponents while doing it. Judith Collins, the committee chair, said the behaviour was egregious, disruptive and potentially intimidating. Ms Maipi-Clarke, 22, rejected that description, citing other instances when legislators have left their seats and approached opponents without sanction. The suspended legislators said they are being treated more harshly than others because they are Maori. 'I came into this house to give a voice to the voiceless. Is that the real issue here?' Ms Maipi-Clarke asked parliament. 'Is that the real intimidation here? Are our voices too loud for this house?' Inside and outside parliament, the haka has increasingly been welcomed as an important part of New Zealand life. The sacred chant can be a challenge to the viewer but is not violent. As Maori language and culture have become part of mainstream New Zealand in recent years, haka appear in a range of cultural, sombre and celebratory settings. They also have rung out in parliament to welcome the passage of high-profile laws. Some who decried the protest haka in Parliament cited its timing, with Ms Maipi-Clarke beginning the chant as votes were being tallied and causing a brief suspension of proceedings. She has privately apologised for the disruption to Parliament's Speaker, she said.
South Wales Guardian
5 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
New Zealand parliament suspends three Maori Party politicians over haka protest
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke received a seven-day ban and the leaders of her political party, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, were barred for 21 days. Three days had been the longest ban for a politician from New Zealand's parliament before. The lawmakers from Te Pati Maori, the Maori Party, performed the haka, a chanting dance of challenge, in November to oppose a widely unpopular bill, now defeated, that they said would reverse Indigenous rights. The protest drew global headlines and provoked months of fraught debate about what the consequences for the politicians' actions should be and the place of Maori culture in Parliament. A committee in April recommended the lengthy bans. It said they were not being punished for the haka, but for striding across the floor of the debating chamber toward their opponents while doing it. Judith Collins, the committee chair, said the behaviour was egregious, disruptive and potentially intimidating. Ms Maipi-Clarke, 22, rejected that description, citing other instances when legislators have left their seats and approached opponents without sanction. The suspended legislators said they are being treated more harshly than others because they are Maori. 'I came into this house to give a voice to the voiceless. Is that the real issue here?' Ms Maipi-Clarke asked parliament. 'Is that the real intimidation here? Are our voices too loud for this house?' Inside and outside parliament, the haka has increasingly been welcomed as an important part of New Zealand life. The sacred chant can be a challenge to the viewer but is not violent. As Maori language and culture have become part of mainstream New Zealand in recent years, haka appear in a range of cultural, sombre and celebratory settings. They also have rung out in parliament to welcome the passage of high-profile laws. Some who decried the protest haka in Parliament cited its timing, with Ms Maipi-Clarke beginning the chant as votes were being tallied and causing a brief suspension of proceedings. She has privately apologised for the disruption to Parliament's Speaker, she said.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Zealand parliament suspends three Maori Party politicians over haka protest
New Zealand legislators have voted to enact record suspensions from parliament for three politicians who performed a Maori haka to protest over a proposed law. Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke received a seven-day ban and the leaders of her political party, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, were barred for 21 days. Three days had been the longest ban for a politician from New Zealand's parliament before. The lawmakers from Te Pati Maori, the Maori Party, performed the haka, a chanting dance of challenge, in November to oppose a widely unpopular bill, now defeated, that they said would reverse Indigenous rights. The protest drew global headlines and provoked months of fraught debate about what the consequences for the politicians' actions should be and the place of Maori culture in Parliament. A committee in April recommended the lengthy bans. It said they were not being punished for the haka, but for striding across the floor of the debating chamber toward their opponents while doing it. Judith Collins, the committee chair, said the behaviour was egregious, disruptive and potentially intimidating. Ms Maipi-Clarke, 22, rejected that description, citing other instances when legislators have left their seats and approached opponents without sanction. The suspended legislators said they are being treated more harshly than others because they are Maori. 'I came into this house to give a voice to the voiceless. Is that the real issue here?' Ms Maipi-Clarke asked parliament. 'Is that the real intimidation here? Are our voices too loud for this house?' Inside and outside parliament, the haka has increasingly been welcomed as an important part of New Zealand life. The sacred chant can be a challenge to the viewer but is not violent. As Maori language and culture have become part of mainstream New Zealand in recent years, haka appear in a range of cultural, sombre and celebratory settings. They also have rung out in parliament to welcome the passage of high-profile laws. Some who decried the protest haka in Parliament cited its timing, with Ms Maipi-Clarke beginning the chant as votes were being tallied and causing a brief suspension of proceedings. She has privately apologised for the disruption to Parliament's Speaker, she said.
Western Telegraph
5 days ago
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
New Zealand parliament suspends three Maori Party politicians over haka protest
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke received a seven-day ban and the leaders of her political party, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, were barred for 21 days. Three days had been the longest ban for a politician from New Zealand's parliament before. The lawmakers from Te Pati Maori, the Maori Party, performed the haka, a chanting dance of challenge, in November to oppose a widely unpopular bill, now defeated, that they said would reverse Indigenous rights. Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, and Rawiri Waititi (Charlotte Graham-McLay/AP) The protest drew global headlines and provoked months of fraught debate about what the consequences for the politicians' actions should be and the place of Maori culture in Parliament. A committee in April recommended the lengthy bans. It said they were not being punished for the haka, but for striding across the floor of the debating chamber toward their opponents while doing it. Judith Collins, the committee chair, said the behaviour was egregious, disruptive and potentially intimidating. Ms Maipi-Clarke, 22, rejected that description, citing other instances when legislators have left their seats and approached opponents without sanction. The suspended legislators said they are being treated more harshly than others because they are Maori. 'I came into this house to give a voice to the voiceless. Is that the real issue here?' Ms Maipi-Clarke asked parliament. 'Is that the real intimidation here? Are our voices too loud for this house?' Inside and outside parliament, the haka has increasingly been welcomed as an important part of New Zealand life. The sacred chant can be a challenge to the viewer but is not violent. As Maori language and culture have become part of mainstream New Zealand in recent years, haka appear in a range of cultural, sombre and celebratory settings. They also have rung out in parliament to welcome the passage of high-profile laws. Some who decried the protest haka in Parliament cited its timing, with Ms Maipi-Clarke beginning the chant as votes were being tallied and causing a brief suspension of proceedings. She has privately apologised for the disruption to Parliament's Speaker, she said.
