Shopping cart

Texas News App is your reliable source for real-time updates across Texas, covering Local News, Politics, Business, Sports, and more. With a focus on all 15 Texas regions, we bring the stories that matter most to communities statewide. Stay informed and connected with an app designed to reach Texans wherever they are.

TnewsTnews
World News

Maori MPs perform war chant in parliament (VIDEO)

Email :24

Lawmaker Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke has been removed from New Zealand’s legislature for preforming a Haka

New Zealand’s parliament was suspended on Thursday after lawmakers from the Maori Party tore up a copy of a controversial bill on tribal rights and performed a traditional war chant in the legislature.

For nearly two centuries, the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi has guided relations between New Zealand’s native Maori people and its white settlers. The treaty promised the natives that they would keep their lands and customs in exchange for accepting British rule, and has since been interpreted by parliament and courts to guarantee the Maori a broad range of rights – including hiring quotas and financial reparations.

The libertarian ACT party, part of the country’s governing coalition, has argued that that the treaty discriminates against non-Maori people, and has put forward a bill that would dramatically narrow its interpretation.

During a vote on the bill on Thursday, Maori Party MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke tore up a copy of the legislation before breaking into a Haka, a traditional Maori war chant. Maipi-Clarke’s colleagues rose from their seats and joined in the chant, as did opposition lawmakers and spectators in the gallery.

Unable to quiet the shouting MPs, Speaker Gerry Brownlee cut the hearing short and suspended Maipi-Clarke from parliament for a day.

Despite the Maori Party’s opposition, the vote passed and the bill will now proceed to a public consultation process. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon opposed the bill, but his National Party voted to support it under the terms of an agreement signed with ACT last year. The National Party is the largest faction in New Zealand’s coalition government, with ACT and New Zealand First serving as junior partners.


READ MORE: WATCH: Maori Party co-leader kicked out of New Zealand parliament after performing HAKA in protest over ‘racist propaganda’

Thursday was not the first time that Maori Party MPs have broken into Hakas in parliament. Back in 2021, party co-leader Rawiri Waititi was ejected from the legislature for performing the ceremonial chant after a National Party MP argued that implementing a separate healthcare system for the Maori community was discriminatory.



This article was originally published by RT at RT World News – Read this article and more at (https://www.rt.com/news/607653-new-zealand-haka-parliament/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS).

General Content Disclaimer



The content on this website, including articles generated by artificial intelligence or syndicated from third-party sources, is provided for informational purposes only. We do not own the rights to all images and have not independently verified the accuracy of all information presented. Opinions expressed are those of the original authors and do not necessarily reflect our views. Reader discretion is advised, as some content may contain sensitive, controversial, or unverified information. We are not responsible for user-generated content, technical issues, or the accuracy of external links. Some content may be sponsored or contain affiliate links, which will be identified accordingly. By using this website, you agree to our privacy policy. For concerns, including copyright infringement (DMCA) notices, contact us at info@texasnews.app.

Comments are closed

Related Posts

0
YOUR CART
  • No products in the cart.