- Māori Haka halts NZ Parliament in protest over Treaty Bill
- The controversial legislation seeks to legally define the treaty’s principles
- Critics fear the bill threatens Indigenous rights and essential support systems for Māori communities
- While the bill passed its first reading with coalition support, it is unlikely to proceed further
Māori Haka halts NZ Parliament in protest over Treaty Bill
New Zealand’s parliament was disrupted by a haka led by opposition MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, protesting a bill to reinterpret the Treaty of Waitangi, the country’s founding agreement with Māori people.
The controversial legislation, introduced by the Act Party, seeks to legally define the treaty’s principles, which have been incorporated into laws addressing historic injustices against Māori. Act argues the changes would ensure fairness, claiming the current approach divides the nation by race.
Critics, including Māori groups and opposition leaders, fear the bill threatens Indigenous rights and essential support systems for Māori communities. Protests have included a peaceful 1,000 km hīkoi (march) toward Wellington, which has drawn thousands of participants.
While the bill passed its first reading with coalition support, it is unlikely to proceed further, as key coalition partners have signalled opposition. Despite this, tensions remain high, with many viewing the bill as a step backwards for relations in New Zealand.