New Zealand’s parliament experienced a temporary suspension on Thursday after Maori members performed a haka to interrupt the vote on a controversial bill aimed at reinterpreting a 184-year-old treaty between the British and the Indigenous Maori.
The Treaty of Waitangi, originally signed in 1840 by the British Crown and over 500 Maori chiefs, established the terms of governance between the two groups. The treaty’s clauses continue to influence legislation and policy today.
Judgements by the courts and a separate Maori tribunal have gradually extended Maori rights and privileges over the years. However, some believe this has resulted in discrimination against non-Indigenous citizens.
The ACT New Zealand party, a minor partner in the ruling centre-right coalition government, introduced a bill last week to legally enforce a more restricted interpretation of the Waitangi treaty.
During the preliminary vote on the bill on Thursday, MPs from Te Pati Maori stood and performed a haka, a traditional Maori dance popularised by New Zealand’s rugby team.
Parliament was briefly suspended as the gallery joined in, with the noise overpowering other voices in the chamber.
ACT New Zealand leader David Seymour accused opponents of the bill of wanting to incite fear and division, stating, “My mission is to empower every person.”
Nevertheless, many Maori and their supporters view the contentious legislation as a threat to the rights of the country’s Indigenous people, who constitute about 20% of the 5.3 million population.
Hundreds have embarked on a nine-day march, or hikoi, from northern New Zealand to the national capital, Wellington, in protest against the legislation, holding rallies in towns and cities along their route.
They are expected to reach Wellington next Tuesday, where tens of thousands are anticipated to join a major rally.
Although the bill passed its first reading, it is unlikely to receive sufficient support to become law. Coalition partners the National Party and New Zealand First are only backing the bill through the initial reading as part of the coalition agreement. Both parties have indicated they will not support it in subsequent readings, making its passage into law highly improbable.
Frances Ibiefo
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