How Uproar over a Māori Haka, Beloved in New Zealand Life, Sowed Chaos and Gridlock in Parliament

Labour and Greens queried possible punishments, Act took it further

Act MP Parmjeet Parmar only raised the idea of imprisoning MPs after her Privileges Committee colleagues requested information on the full range of penalties and international precedent. The advice was sought during deliberation of punishments for Te Pāti Māori MPs who performed a haka in the House during a vote on the Treaty Principles Bill last year. Parmar’s request was singled out by Labour leader Chris Hipkins as a “stain” on Parliament, bu…

How controversy over Maori haka sparked chaos in New Zealand parliament

The haka is a cherished cultural symbol, but this one has ignited a fiery debate

New Zealanders rally as government moves to suspend MPs who performed haka in Parliament

Lawmakers face suspension after they protested controversial bill seeking to redefine the treaty that governs relations between the country and Maori

How uproar over a Māori haka, beloved in New Zealand life, sowed chaos and gridlock in Parliament

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The haka, a chanting dance of challenge, is sacred to New Zealand’s Māori people but it’s become a beloved cultural institution among New Zealanders of all races. Spine-tingling performances at sports events, funerals and graduations often go viral online, a non-partisan point of pride for the country abroad. But one haka performed in protest in New Zealand’s Parliament by three legislators last November has provok…

How uproar over Māori haka, beloved in New Zealand life, sowed chaos in Parliament

The haka, a chanting dance of challenge, is sacred to New Zealand’s Māori people but it’s become a beloved cultural institution among New Zealanders of all races

MPs debate Te Pāti Māori trio's fate

Parliament is debating proposed punishments for three members of Te Pāti Māori party after they performed a haka during the reading of a controversial Bill last year.