You might think a traditional Māori dance would be welcomed in Parliament, right? Well, not in this case. In New Zealand, three lawmakers who performed a haka protest against a controversial bill are now facing record suspensions from Parliament.
The whole thing started last November when Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, and Rawiri Waititi, all members of the Māori Party, decided to do a haka in the middle of a debate. They were opposing a bill they felt would weaken indigenous rights – a bill that’s now thankfully been rejected.
This wasn’t just any old dance though. The haka is a powerful, challenging dance, and it definitely caught everyone’s attention. It even made international headlines!
The real drama though? It triggered a months-long debate in Parliament about what the consequences should be. Was this a cultural expression to be respected, or a disruptive act that needed punishment?
A committee of lawmakers decided the haka itself wasn’t the problem, but the fact the lawmakers moved across the floor towards their opponents while performing it was a breach of protocol.
Maipi-Clarke, however, pointed out that other lawmakers have walked around the chamber without any consequences.
The debate got heated, and even though it was clear the government parties had the votes to approve the suspensions, Parliament’s Speaker Gerry Brownlee called for a free-ranging debate. Maybe they could find some common ground, right?
But no such luck. Hours of passionate speeches later, the government lawmakers stuck to their decision. The opposition tried to argue for lighter punishments, but their efforts were in vain.
This whole situation has left many questioning: is New Zealand Parliament truly open to Māori culture, or does it feel threatened by it? The debate might be over, but the questions remain.
Leave a comment