Lawmakers of Maori Origin Imposed Hefty Fine Following Haka Performance in Parliamentary Session - MPs of Maori origin face hefty penalty following disruptive parliamentary Haka performance
Wanna know about the drama that unfolded in New Zealand's parliament last year? Buckle up!
A heated debate arose concerning a bill that aimed to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document. The bill stirred up quite a storm, particularly among the Maori Party, who believed it would dismantle Indigenous rights.
Three Maori MPs, Rawiri Waititi, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, and Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, decided to put their feet (or should I say haka knees?) down and took the issue into their own hands. Or rather, their dance steps. They performed the traditional haka, usually known to intimidate opponents before conflicts, right in the middle of parliament. Like a rugby match, but with more cultural flair and less football.
Their unexpected dance didn't go unnoticed and found its way into headlines around the world. The performance was a bold move, as it disrupted the ongoing parliamentary session and even provoked one of the MPs to tear up the bill. Talk about throwing shade while dancing!
This unconventional protest drew a massive response from the public. Tens of thousands marched in the streets, rallied outside the parliament building, and vented their outrage over the bill. Their efforts paid off. The controversial bill got the boot!
However, the haka protest didn't go down as smoothly as the MPs intended. It sparked a heated debate among the MPs, with the committee suggesting sanctions against the Maori MPs. Now, ain't that a kick in the tiki?
The suspensions of these MPs were the longest in New Zealand's parliamentary history. It seems the MPs are saying their piece: "We're being punished for being Maori," one suspended MP told the BBC. "We represent the stance of being uncompromisingly Maori and put the needs and expectations of our people first."
And there you have it—a culture clash, a history-making moment, and one haka protest that simply won't be forgotten.
Sources: Radio New Zealand, BBC
- New Zealand
- Maori
- Bill
Just remember: Don't think about politics, just play rugby—or dance a haka—while trying to redefine historic treaties, k?
Enrichment Data:In case you're curious, the controversy centered on the proposed bill, which aimed to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi. The bill was met with significant opposition, particularly from the Maori Party, who argued it would dismantle Indigenous rights.
The haka performance by the three Maori Party lawmakers was controversial because the MPs left their seats and walked towards government politicians while performing the haka, thereby disrupting the proceedings and the vote on the proposed law. One of the MPs, Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, also tore up a copy of the bill during the protest.
The protest resulted in unprecedented suspensions for these MPs, sparking further debate about the use of the haka in a political context. The government and opposition parties remained divided on the issue.
The dramatic haka protest by Maori MPs Rawiri Waititi, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, and Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke in New Zealand's parliament last year, despite receiving worldwide attention, led to the longest suspensions in the country's parliamentary history, sparking discussions on policy-and-legislation, politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice. The controversy revolved around a bill aimed at redefining the Treaty of Waitangi, causing a rift between the Maori Party and the government, with the former asserting the bill would undermine Indigenous rights. The controversy, hence, also involved community policy and employment policy, as it addressed Indigenous rights and representation.
