Maori representatives protest with a ‘haka’ in the New Zealand Parliament against legislation that could curtail their rights

Maori representatives have suspended session in the New Zealand Parliament this Thursday. And they have done it with one of its most powerful symbols: the ‘Haka’, the traditional dance of the country’s indigenous people that involves shouting and striking the chest and the ground. A chant that has been used as a sign of protest demanding the rights of Māori.

During the session, a bill was voted on to reinterpret the treaty principles that had regulated relations with indigenous peoples since 1840, a controversial proposal that was criticized because it could undermine their rights, and would There have been protests not only among the delegates, but also on the streets, with thousands of people demonstrating this Friday.

When Māori Party MLAs were asked for their votes, MP Hana-Rawiti Maipi-Clark stood up and began the haka, followed by the rest of her colleagues. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Gerry Brownlee, who was clearly upset, tried to stop him from continuing, but seeing this impossible, he decided to suspend the session and turn off the broadcast. In addition, he suspended Hana-Raviti Maipi-Clark from Parliament for one day.

The ‘Haka’ has become fashionable due to its use by the national rugby team ‘All Blacks’. Rawiri Waititi, co-leader of the Māori Party, told Radio New Zealand in statements that his intention was to challenge the government with the act. The politician said, “We love it when the ‘All Blacks’ do it, but what happens when they do it in a place where they challenge the violence and ongoing violence of a House that has done this for hundreds of years Is?”

The project was eventually approved in the first round, although two more projects are needed to become law. A statement from David Seymour, the Justice Minister and originator of the proposal, said it has been referred to the Legislative Justice Committee for consideration over the next six months.

Seymour is part of the ultra-liberal ACT Party, which forms the government coalition led by Christopher Luxon, and which defends a proposal to reinterpret the Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840, shortly before New Zealand became part of the British Empire. Liberals view the treaty as containing ‘benefits’ towards Māori and believe it is a disadvantage to the rest of the population.

The Treaty of Waitangi governs the state’s relationship with Māori, who make up 20% of New Zealand’s population of more than 5 million residents. Seymour assured that the proposal addressed “the concept of treaty principles”, which was introduced without being defined by the New Zealand Parliament in 1975, which he suggested would favor this population.

Yet this minority continues to experience institutional discrimination, as well as disproportionately high rates of poverty, imprisonment, disease, domestic abuse, and suicide, among other problems.

protesters against the proposal

Meanwhile, thousands of protesters protesting against Seymour’s proposal, some of them carrying Māori flags and traditional clothing, are marching towards Parliament in Wellington.

The convoy departed on Monday from Cape Reinga or Te Rerenga Wairua, the northernmost point of New Zealand’s North Island and one of the most significant places for Māori, on a tour of several cities across the country.

The legislative project, which if approved after the third reading would mean calling a referendum, proposes that the executive and Parliament have full powers to decide laws.