Record Suspensions Rock New Zealand Parliament After Māori Lawmakers' Haka Protest

New Zealand's Parliament Makes History with Record Suspensions Following Māori Lawmakers' Haka Protest WELLINGTON, New Zealand – In a dramatic turn of events, New Zealand’s Parliament has handed down record suspensions to three lawmakers from the Māori Party. The unprecedented move follows a protest during which the lawmakers performed a haka, a powerful Māori ceremonial dance, to oppose a controversial bill. The bill, which has since been defeated, was seen by the Māori Party as a threat to Indigenous rights. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, leaders of the Māori Party, received the harshest penalty – a 21-day suspension. Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, also a member of the party, was suspended for seven days. These are the longest suspensions ever issued in the history of New Zealand’s Parliament, surpassing the previous record of three days. "This is not just about us," stated Ngarewa-Packer in an interview following the suspensions. "This is about upholding the rights of our people and protecting our culture." The haka protest, captured on video and widely circulated online, shows the lawmakers performing the dance in the chamber while other members looked on. The intensity of the performance and the subsequent reaction from Parliament have sparked a national conversation about Indigenous rights and the role of protest in democratic processes. The incident underscores the deep-seated tensions surrounding land rights and self-determination for Māori in New Zealand. While the bill at the center of the protest has been defeated, the long suspensions serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for Māori rights and the sometimes-contentious nature of political discourse in the nation. The event has prompted a wider discussion about the balance between upholding parliamentary decorum and allowing for passionate expression of deeply held beliefs.