Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, New Zealand’s youngest MP at 22, protested in Parliament Thursday by performing a Haka against a bill threatening Māori rights. The bill seeks to redefine the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, which has sparked strong opposition from Māori leaders. Maipi-Clarke tore up the bill and led the Haka, joined by other Māori leaders. The Speaker halted the session, and Maipi-Clarke was suspended for what was deemed a disrespectful protest.
The Treaty, signed in 1840, is a key foundation for Māori rights. The ACT party’s bill, which advocates for equal rights, is criticized for undermining protections for Māori. Although it passed the first reading, it faces opposition from both the National Party and New Zealand First, making its passage unlikely.
Thousands of Māori have joined a nine-day hikoi march to oppose the bill, arguing it misrepresents the Treaty and threatens Māori sovereignty. Maipi-Clarke, elected in 2023, has become a prominent voice for Māori rights and has criticized government policies she sees as undermining these rights.
Inspired by her grandfather, Māori rights activist Taitimu Maipi, Maipi-Clarke advocates for integrating Indigenous knowledge into climate change solutions. She has also been outspoken against Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s government, accusing it of eroding Māori protections and rights for future generations.
