New Zealand Parliament in Uproar: Māori MPs Suspended After Haka Protest

New Zealand Parliament Suspends Māori MPs Following Haka Protest Well, now, the New Zealand MPs behind it have been punished. In New Zealand, three members of the Māori Party will be temporarily suspended from parliament over a haka performed during the first reading of the controversial Treaty Principles Bill last year. The haka, a traditional Māori war dance, was performed in protest of the bill, which sought to reinterpret the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document. The performance, viewed by some as disruptive and intimidating, led to the MPs' initial suspension. The Parliamentary Privileges Committee reviewed the incident and issued further recommendations. Māori Party co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi face severe censure and a 21-day suspension. Another MP, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, will be suspended for seven days. The committee's recommendations are expected to be confirmed by parliament. The bill itself failed to pass its second reading, highlighting the deep divisions surrounding the Treaty of Waitangi's interpretation. The video captures the intensity of the event, the emotional reactions, and the subsequent public response, making it a valuable resource for understanding the situation.