Watch: Moment MP leads haka to disrupt New Zealand parliament
New Zealand's Parliament has been temporarily suspended by MPs performing a haka, amid anger over a controversial bill to reinterpret the country's founding treaty with the Maori people.
Opposition MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke began the traditional ceremonial group dance after being asked whether her party supported the bill, which came up for its first vote on Thursday.
At the same time, a hikoi – or peaceful protest march – organized by a Maori rights group continues to head towards the capital, Wellington.
Thousands of people have already joined the 10-day march against the bill, which reached Auckland on Wednesday after starting at the New Zealand Summit on Monday.
The country is often seen as a leader in indigenous rights, but opponents of the bill fear those same rights could be put at risk by this bill.
Act, the political party which introduced the bill, argues it is necessary to legally define the principles of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, which was fundamental to race relations in New Zealand.
The core values of the treaty have, over time, been incorporated into New Zealand laws in an effort to right the wrongs done to Māori during colonization.
Danielle Moreau
The protest march against the bill passed through Auckland on Wednesday.
But Act – a minor party within the ruling centre-right coalition – says it has led to a racial division of the country and that the bill will allow the treaty to be interpreted more fairly by parliament rather than by governments. courts. Party leader David Seymour dismissed opponents, accusing them of wanting to “stove” fear and division.
Critics, however, say the legislation will divide the country and lead to the loss of much-needed support for many Māori.
The first reading was adopted on Thursday after a 30-minute recess, supported by all parties in the ruling coalition. Maipi-Clarke was suspended from the house.
It is unlikely to pass a second reading, as Act's coalition partners have indicated they will not support it.
But that has not assuaged those concerned about the bill and its impact, with the hikoi continuing to progress along its 1,000 km (621 mile) journey.
Danielle Moreau
Danielle Moreau (centre) took part in the march as she walked through Auckland with her sons Bobby and Teddy
In Auckland, it is estimated that it took around 5,000 marchers two hours to cross the harbor bridge. Authorities closed two lanes, the New Zealand Herald reported, to allow them to continue on the road.
Danielle Moreau, who is Māori, crossed the Harbor Bridge with her two sons, Bobby and Teddy, and told the BBC she “hoped (the hikoi) would be big but it was much more epic than what it looked like.” I expected.”
“I marched to make the point that Te Tiriti (the Treaty of Waitangi) is very important to our national identity,” said Winston Pond, who also took part in the march on Wednesday.
“We are a multicultural society built on a bicultural foundation, something that cannot be changed.”
Juliette Tainui-Hernández
Juliet Tainui-Hernandez (left), with her partner Javier Hernández (right) and daughter Paloma (center)
Juliet Tainui-Hernández, from the Ngā Puhi Māori tribe, and her Puerto Rican partner Javier Hernández, brought their daughter Paloma for the walk.
Ms Tainui-Hernández said those who showed their support did so “for the respectful and inclusive nation we want Aotearoa (New Zealand) to be for our tamariki mokopuna – our children and grandchildren”.
Kiriana O'Connell, who is also Māori, said the current principles of the treaty were already a compromise for her people and she would not support a “rewrite”.
Under the proposed bill, the treaty principles that would be defined in law are:
that the government has the right to govern and that parliament has the full right to legislate, that the rights of Māori are respected by the Crown, that everyone is equal before the law and entitled to equal protection under it -this.
Act leader Seymour – who is also New Zealand's deputy justice minister – says that because the principles were never properly legally defined, the courts “were able to develop principles that were used to justify actions contrary to the principle of equal rights. “.
He says these measures include “ethnic quotas in public institutions” which go against the spirit of fairness for all New Zealanders.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, however, called the bill “divisive” – despite being part of the same coalition.
EPA
Act party leader David Seymour to become deputy prime minister next year under role-sharing deal
Meanwhile, the Waitangi Tribunal, established in 1975 to investigate alleged breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi, notes that the bill “deliberately excluded any consultation with Māori, thereby breaching the principle of partnership, the obligations of good faith of the Crown and the duty of the Crown. actively protect the rights and interests of Māori.
He also said the principles of the bill misinterpreted the Treaty of Waitangi and that this “has caused significant harm to Māori”.
The tabling of the Treaty Principles Bill follows a series of measures introduced by the government that have affected Māori.
These include the closure of the Māori Health Authority, which was established under Jacinda Arden's Labor government to help create health equity, and the reprioritization of English over to Māori when it comes to the official name of government organizations, for example.
While around 18% of New Zealand's population consider themselves Māori, according to the most recent census, many remain at a disadvantage compared to the general population when assessed using markers such such as health status, household income, education levels, and incarceration and mortality rates. There remains a seven-year gap in life expectancy.
The Treaty of Waitangi is an agreement between the British and many, but not all, Māori tribes signed in 1840.
It is controversial because it was written in both English and Māori – which was only a spoken language until colonization – and the two versions contain fundamental differences regarding issues such as ownership land.
Although the treaty itself is not enshrined in law, its principles have been adopted over time in various pieces of legislation.
The bill will now be sent to a select committee for a six-month public hearing process.
