Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, New Zealand’s youngest Member of Parliament and an influential Te Pati Maori representative, captured global attention by protesting a new Bill affecting Maori rights. During a recent parliamentary session, the 22-year-old lawmaker tore up a copy of the Treaty Principles Bill and performed a haka, demonstrating her staunch opposition to the proposed legislation.
A viral video of the event shows Maipi-Clarke dramatically interrupting the House session, ripping apart the Bill’s pages before launching into the traditional Maori dance. Her bold move was met with support from the public gallery, whose members joined in, prompting Speaker Gerry Brownlee to temporarily suspend the session.
This is not the first time Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke hit global headlines. Earlier this year, a clip from her inaugural speech at the Parliament had gone viral for similar reasons. Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke was spotted performing Haka.
Unprecedented & simply magnificent. That time in Nov 2024 when a haka led by Aotearoa’s youngest MP 22yo Hana-Rawhiti Kareariki Maipi-Clarke erupted in the House stopping the Treaty Principles Bill from passing its first reading, triggering the Speaker to suspend Parliament.… pic.twitter.com/pkI7q7WGlr
— Kelvin Morgan (@kelvin_morganNZ) November 14, 2024
What is the Treaty Principles Bill of New Zealand
The Treaty Principles Bill was introduced last week by ACT New Zealand, a junior partner in the current center-right coalition government. The Bill seeks to revise key principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, a foundational document first signed in 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and more than 500 Maori chiefs.
For nearly two centuries, the Treaty has been a cornerstone of governance in New Zealand, influencing legislation and policies that aim to honour the relationship between Maori and the government. The proposed changes, however, have sparked controversy, as many Maori leaders and community members view them as a threat to indigenous rights.
Nationwide Protests and Hikoi
As the Bill passed its initial reading, hundreds of Maori and supporters initiated a nine-day hikoi (march) from the northern regions of New Zealand to Wellington, expressing widespread opposition to the legislative changes. The protestors aim to highlight the significance of the Treaty and urge lawmakers to reconsider the proposed amendments.
Coalition Partners’ Stance
Despite supporting the Bill’s first reading, coalition partners the National Party and New Zealand First have publicly stated they will not back it through subsequent stages. Their initial endorsement aligns with coalition commitments, but both parties have emphasized that they do not intend to support the bill’s passage into law.
Prime Minister Responds
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who left for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru, voiced his concerns over the Bill’s potential impact on Maori relations. “You do not go negate, with a single stroke of a pen, 184 years of debate and discussion, with a Bill that I think is very simplistic,” Luxon said to reporters before his departure.
FAQs
Who is Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke?
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke is a young Member of Parliament of New Zealand.
Why did Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke go viral?
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke went viral for performing the traditional Haka dance of the Maoris.
What is Haka dance?
Haka is a traditional Maori dance which includes facial and hand gestures. It is also a way to showcase the pride of the Maoris.
