New Zealand Lawmakers Suspended After Dramatic Haka Protest

New Zealand Parliament Suspends Lawmakers After Haka Protest Wellington, New Zealand – In a significant political event, the New Zealand Parliament recently suspended three opposition lawmakers for their performance of a haka, a traditional Māori dance, during a vote on a contentious bill. The incident, which occurred on November 14, 2024, unfolded as lawmakers protested legislation perceived as undermining Māori rights. The video shows the passionate haka performance and the subsequent reactions within the parliament. The penalties imposed are unprecedented. Two co-leaders of the Te Pāti Māori party received 21-day suspensions without pay, and a third party member faced a seven-day suspension. One of those suspended, Rawiri Waititi, a co-leader of Te Pāti Māori, voiced his protest stating, “The silencing of us today is a reminder of the silencing of our ancestors of the past.” His words, delivered with emotion, highlight the deep-seated concerns of Māori representatives. In contrast, New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters defended the parliament's actions, stating, “Haka have been done countless times in this Parliament, but after first consulting the speaker so that the House and its timing is not disrupted, that’s what happened here.” His response emphasizes procedural concerns over the protest's disruption of parliamentary proceedings. The event underscores the ongoing debate about Māori rights and the role of protest within the New Zealand political system. The video serves as a powerful visual record of the protest and the ensuing consequences.