Archive · 19 May 2025
Māori Lawmakers Face Suspension After Protest Haka in Parliament
New Zealand's Parliament is dealing with a disagreement over a traditional Māori dance called the haka.
Three Māori lawmakers did the haka in Parliament to protest a bill about the country's founding document.
Some people were upset because the lawmakers approached others while performing.
A committee decided to suspend the lawmakers for the protest.
The lawmakers disagree, saying the process wasn't fair and wasn't respecting their culture.
The bill they were protesting was about to change the founding document.
Three Māori lawmakers face suspension for performing a protest haka in Parliament.
The haka was performed to oppose a bill that would have redefined New Zealand's founding document.
The parliamentary committee found the lawmakers in contempt of Parliament.
The Speaker of Parliament has allowed unlimited debate before a vote on the suspensions.
The Māori party disagrees with the committee's process and severity of sanctions.
- Who
- Three Māori lawmakers from Te Pāti Māori performed the haka.
- What
- A parliamentary committee recommended the suspension of three Māori lawmakers.
- When
- The haka was performed last year, with the suspensions recommended recently.
- Where
- In the debating chamber of the New Zealand Parliament.
- Why
- To protest a bill that would have redefined the country's founding document.
Māori Party
Parliament Committee
Committee's Fairness
Māori Party
The process was unfair and did not respect Māori culture.
Parliament Committee
The committee's process was fair and followed rules.
Severity of Punishment
Māori Party
The penalties are excessive and unwarranted.
Parliament Committee
The suspensions are appropriate consequences for the actions of the lawmakers.
Haka as Protest
Māori Party
The haka is a sacred cultural expression and form of protest.
Parliament Committee
The haka was performed inappropriately in Parliament.
- Lawmakers facing suspension
- Three Māori
- Party
- Te Pāti Māori (Māori Party)
- Proposed Suspension Lengths
- 7 and 21 days
- Youngest Lawmaker
- Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke
- Controversial Bill
- Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill
- Bill's Aim
- Redefine New Zealand's founding document