New Zealand Parliament: Haka Protest Sparks Tensions and Suspensions

New Zealand Parliament: Haka Protest Leads to MP Suspensions WELLINGTON, New Zealand—Three members of the Maori Party were suspended from New Zealand's Parliament following a protest during which they performed a haka. The protest targeted a bill backed by the ACT Party, a far-right coalition partner. The MPs argued the bill was an attack on Indigenous rights, specifically those protected under the Treaty of Waitangi. The bill, which would have stripped certain indigenous protections, was ultimately defeated. However, the protest sparked significant public debate and controversy. "The Maori Party are a bunch of extremists," said Winston Peters, New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister, in a statement captured on video following the protest. This comment further inflamed the situation. Maori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer defended the actions of the MPs, stating, "We deliberately showed the world what it is that this government represents." The suspensions, ranging from seven to twenty-one days, have been met with both support and criticism. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the Maori community and the New Zealand government, illustrating a deep-seated conflict over land rights and cultural preservation. The haka, a traditional Maori war dance, served as a powerful symbol of protest and resistance.