In November 2024, three MPs from the Te Pati Maori Party fought in Parliament in a protest against the protest treaty bill.
The New Zealand Government Commission recommends temporarily suspending three Indigenous lawmakers from Parliament due to the implementation of the protest HAKA last year.
The Privileges Commission recommended Wednesday evening that Te Pati Maori Party co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi should be suspended for 21 days.
It was also recommended that New Zealand’s youngest MP Hana Rauhiti Maipi Clark, 22, be suspended for seven days to act “in a way that could have the effect of threatening members of the home.”
However, the committee report said that Mype Clark wrote a letter of “repentance” to Congress, which shortened the sanctions.
Ritual dances and songs by both Haka and Maori are not uncommon in Congress, but members were aware that permission was required from speakers in advance, the report says.
In November, MyPiclark led Congress to derail the legislature. The party’s co-leaders Waititi and Ngarewapacker joined her and walked towards the chamber’s floor.
The Maori Party was protesting the principles of the Waitangi bill that sought to redefine New Zealand’s founding documents. This is a 1840 agreement between the British crown and the indigenous Maori leaders signed during New Zealand’s colonization.
Critics of the bill saw it as an attempt to reverse the special rights granted to the Maori population.
Last month, the bill was voted overwhelmingly.
But the Maori Party calls it the recommendation, which is the toughest penalty given in the Parliament, and the longest lawmakers have been banned from the House of Representatives for three days.
“Tangata whenua” [Indigenous people] Resistance, colonial forces will reach the greatest penalty,” the party said, adding, “This is a warning shot that we are all in line.”
But Judith Collins, who led the Privilege Commission and served as Attorney General, said it was extremely disorderly to suspend the vote while members were taking place.
“The right to vote without obstacles is at the heart of being a member of Congress. It is not acceptable to physically approach another member on the floor of the discussion room,” Collins said at a press conference Wednesday.
The assembly is scheduled to vote for a halt on Tuesday, and is expected to pass with the support of the ruling conservative coalition.
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