New Zealand Parliament Enacts Historic Suspensions for Haka Protest

In a significant development, the New Zealand Parliament has implemented unprecedented suspensions for three lawmakers who engaged in a traditional Maori haka as a form of protest. This action was taken during a parliamentary session last November, which involved a contentious piece of legislation concerning Indigenous rights.

On June 5, 2025, the Parliament voted to impose suspensions of 21 days on Te Pati Maori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, while Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, the youngest member of Parliament at 22 years old, received a seven-day suspension. Previously, the longest suspension recorded for a New Zealand parliamentarian was just three days.

During the time of their suspension, these lawmakers will forfeit their pay and will not have the ability to participate in legislative votes. The controversial bill being discussed when the protest occurred was aimed at amending a 185-year-old treaty between the British crown and Indigenous Maori leaders, a treaty that continues to influence New Zealand's policies and legal framework.

The decision for suspension arose from recommendations made by a parliamentary privileges committee, which cited the lawmakers' actions as potentially intimidating to other members of the house. The incident saw Maipi-Clarke tearing up a copy of the bill before leading her colleagues in the haka, a traditional dance that has historical significance in Maori culture, often used to honor visitors or prepare warriors for battle.

Concerns were raised by some lawmakers regarding the conduct displayed during the haka, particularly when the performers moved toward government members during the demonstration. Judith Collins, who heads the privileges committee, emphasized that the issue at hand was not the haka itself, but rather compliance with parliamentary rules, which all members are expected to uphold.

In response to the suspensions, Maipi-Clarke articulated that the action taken against them was an attempt to suppress Maori voices within the Parliament. She expressed that their presence and advocacy should not be stifled and questioned whether their efforts to speak out were perceived as a threat to the established order.

Despite the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, New Zealand's history is marked by numerous conflicts between the colonial government and Maori tribes, leading to significant land confiscations and ongoing tensions between the Indigenous population and their European descendants. The repercussions of these historical injustices continue to resonate in contemporary New Zealand society.