New Zealand MP performs Māori haka, tears controversial bill during heated Parliament session

New Zealand MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke performs a haka, ripping a bill opposing Māori rights.

In a dramatic session of New Zealand's Parliament, 22-year-old MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke of Te Pāti Māori staged a powerful protest against the controversial Treaty Principles Bill. The bill, introduced to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi principles signed in 1840, has sparked widespread criticism and protests across the nation.

The New Zealand government is pulling back on protecting Māori rights, sparking protests from indigenous lawmakers who oppose the decision with their traditional “haka” chant.

This is powerful. pic.twitter.com/ed5OKaDRB1

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Maipi-Clarke tore up a copy of the proposed bill before performing a traditional Māori haka, a move that electrified the public gallery and opposition benches. The protest led to the chamber being cleared, and Maipi-Clarke was suspended from Parliament. "This bill undermines Māori rights and incites racial division," she declared before her act.

The Treaty Principles Bill, authored by ACT Party leader David Seymour, aims to define the treaty’s principles as equally applicable to all New Zealanders. Seymour defended the legislation, stating, "What all of these principles have in common is that they afford Māori different rights from other New Zealanders." Prime Minister Christopher Luxon allowed his party to support the bill in its first reading as part of a political deal with Seymour's party, despite personally opposing it.

Opposition lawmaker Willie Jackson condemned the decision, exclaiming, "Shame! Shame on you, David Seymour, for what you're trying to do to this nation." Thousands of protesters are expected to march on Parliament next week as public outrage grows.

The bill passed its first reading and will proceed to a public submission process before a second vote. Critics argue that the bill disregards Māori sovereignty, fueling racial tensions.