Māori MPs’ Haka Protest Disrupts New Zealand Parliament

In November 2024, New Zealand’s Parliament was shaken by a dramatic protest when three Te Pāti Māori MPs performed a haka during a vote on the controversial Treaty Principles Bill. The haka, a traditional Māori dance symbolizing strength and unity, was led by MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, who also tore up a copy of the bill. This act of defiance disrupted parliamentary proceedings and led to the suspension of Maipi-Clarke and fellow MPs Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi for up to 21 days. The protest sparked widespread discussion about the role of cultural expression in political protests.

The Treaty Principles Bill sought to reinterpret the Treaty of Waitangi, a crucial agreement between Māori chiefs and the British Crown signed in 1840. Critics, including the Māori Party, argued that the proposed changes would undermine Māori rights and sovereignty. For many Māori leaders, the bill represented a threat to their identity and authority, making the haka a powerful and symbolic form of protest against what they viewed as an unjust piece of legislation.

The incident has ignited a national debate over the boundaries between parliamentary procedure and cultural expression. Supporters of the MPs argue that the haka was a legitimate form of protest, a cultural tradition used to voice their opposition to policies they deemed harmful to Māori communities. On the other hand, critics contend that the haka disrupted the functioning of Parliament and violated its rules. The debate continues, reflecting broader conversations about Indigenous rights and how they are represented and respected in New Zealand’s political system.