New Zealand MPs Face Historic Suspension Over Traditional Haka Protest
Three lawmakers in New Zealand were formally suspended from parliament Thursday for performing a traditional Māori dance, or haka, CE Report quotes MIA.
The three lawmakers, from the Te Pāti Māori party, performed the haka in November, to oppose a bill that would have defined the principles of New Zealand's founding document.
Parliament voted to ban party leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi for 21 days. The previous longest ban from the country's parliament was three days.
Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, New Zealand's youngest lawmaker at 22, was given a seven-day ban. All three will receive no pay during their suspensions.
"Parliament has sent a message to our mokopuna [future generations] that their Māori identity is a threat to New Zealand’s democracy," the party wrote on X.
New Zealand Haka Protest: NZ's Youngest MP #Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke Performs Traditional Maori Dance, Tears Copy of Treaty Principles Bill As She Leads Stir in Parliament
— Yuvrajsinh Jadeja (@YAJadeja) November 15, 2024
This is the remarkable democracy within New Zealand's Parliament!
#Māori MPs protested during a vote… pic.twitter.com/2pCWiNK91a
"We reject the mischaracterisation of our haka as contempt and intimidation."
The party's lawmakers acted with integrity, in defense of the country's founding documents, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, it said.
"We do not ask for sympathy; we ask for your participation," the post continued.
"Turn this moment into power and make this a one term government."
The haka captured global attention, amassing hundreds of millions of views on social media.
Haka has its origins in Māori mythology with the wiriwiri, the quivering hand and body gestures, resembling the waves when heat rises from the earth.
Haka was the customary way to welcome visiting tribes but it was also performed to prepare warriors for battle.
Today, haka is performed on important occasions, including sporting events, funerals, weddings, graduations and welcoming ceremonies.
