Haka Protest, MP Ejected Amid Debate Over Bill That Could Limit Unique Maori Legal Rights

Confusion and chaos engulfed New Zealand’s Parliament after MPs from the minor Māori Party interrupted a party vote on the Treaty Principles Bill. Sitting members staged a ceremonial haka and refused calls for order during a vote on whether the contentious Bill should be referred to a Select Committee for further investigation. National, Labour, the Greens and New Zealand First had their votes recorded when Māori Party MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke stood and began speaking in the Māori language—permissible under Standing Orders because it is recognised as an official language of New Zealand. He then broke into the well-known haka, Ka Mate. She was quickly joined by the party’s five other MPs, and some in the public gallery....