Wellington: New Zealand’s youngest MP, Hana-Rawhiti Kareariki Maipi-Clarke, is once again making headlines. This time, she’s back in the spotlight after performing a traditional Maori dance and dramatically ripping up a copy of a controversial bill during a parliamentary session.
The New Zealand Parliament was temporarily halted when Te Pati Māori (Māori Party) MPs staged a powerful protest against the bill that sought to reinterpret a treaty with the Māori people. The protest was sparked by Opposition MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, who began performing a traditional haka in response to a question about her party’s stance on the bill.
As she danced, members of the public gallery joined in, leading Speaker Gerry Brownlee to briefly suspend the session. Watch the video below.
Hana first gained viral fame last year when she performed a haka during her maiden speech in parliament.
Who is Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke?
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke represents Te Pāti Māori in the Hauraki-Waikato seat, having succeeded Nanaia Mahuta in October.Hana aims to re-engage younger voters by showing the impact of political decisions on their lives.She is committed to protecting Māori rights and culture and supports using Indigenous knowledge to address climate change.Inspired by her grandfather Taitimu Maipi, a member of Nga Tamatoa, and her grand-niece relationship to Māori language activist Hana Te Hemara.Her great-great-great grandfather was New Zealand’s first Māori minister in parliament.
About The Controversial Waitangi Treaty Bill
Last week, the ACT New Zealand party, a junior partner in the country’s centre-right coalition government, introduced a bill aiming to alter certain principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, a move that has faced strong opposition from many Māori.
Originally signed in 1840 between the British Crown and over 500 Māori chiefs, the Treaty established the framework for governance between the two parties. The interpretation of its clauses continues to influence legislation and policy today.
However, the bill is widely seen by many Māori and their supporters as a threat to the rights of New Zealand’s indigenous population, which makes up about 20% of the country’s 5.3 million people.
As the bill passed its first reading, hundreds of individuals began a nine-day march from the northern part of New Zealand to the capital, Wellington, to express their protest.
The National Party and New Zealand First, both coalition partners, have agreed to support the legislation only through its first reading, in line with their coalition agreement. Both parties have stated they will not back the bill as it progresses to become law.
Simultaneously, a peaceful protest march organised by a Māori rights group is making its way to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. According to Reuters, thousands of participants from across the country have joined the 10-day march, rallying against the controversial bill.
Dance of Defiance: NZ MP Hana-Rawhiti Performs Haka In Parliament, Tears Up Waitangi Treaty Bill world-news World News | Latest International News | Global World News | World Breaking Headlines Today
