New Zealand’s youngest MP, Hana-Rawhiti Kareariki Maipi-Clarke, 22, has gained global attention for her passionate protest in Parliament. During a session on Thursday, Maipi-Clarke, a member of Te Pāti Māori, tore up a copy of the Indigenous Treaty Principles Bill and performed the powerful Māori haka dance, a move that quickly went viral. The session was brought to a halt as other MPs and spectators joined in the haka, prompting Speaker Gerry Brownlee to briefly suspend the proceedings.
The Treaty Principles Bill, rooted in the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, aims to outline rights that would apply to all New Zealanders. However, Maipi-Clarke and many Māori critics argue that the bill erodes Māori rights and culture. The treaty had historically promised Māori tribes the right to retain their lands and protect their interests while ceding governance to the British.
Meanwhile.. this is what governance looks like New Zealand 👀
The New Zealand parliament debated a bill that would make all ‘New Zealanders’ equal and the Māori immediately started a Haka
New Zealand’s Parliament was suspended after the haka protest. pic.twitter.com/JoYtXJtcC1
— Andre Zelms (@AAZelms) November 14, 2024
Elected in 2023, Maipi-Clarke has consistently advocated for Māori voices and criticized Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s government, which has faced backlash over policies viewed as undermining Māori rights. Her popularity has surged, even earning her a spot on a poll listing five alternative candidates for prime minister.
Despite limited support and widespread protests against it, the Treaty Principles Bill remains a lightning rod for controversy, with opponents warning of potential racial and constitutional conflicts. Thousands of New Zealanders are currently traveling across the country to protest the bill.