New Zealand
Maori MP receive record penalty after Haka dance in parliament
Last year, a group of Maori MPs caused a sensation with a Haka in New Zealand. Your dance has consequences, but the protest was still successful.
A draft law caused a bright excitement in the New Zealand Parliament last year. It was about a new regulation of the contract between New Zealand and the indigenous people of the country, the Maori. A group of three Maori MPs, on the other hand, protested in parliament with a Haka, the traditional dance of the indigenous people.
The unusual appearance has consequences for the trio: eight months later, the parliament decided to temporarily suspend the three MPs. The two party leaders of the Maori party are not allowed to take part in the meetings for three weeks. Another MP is excluded for a week.
New Zealand: Parliament rejects the draft law
Their protest had caused a stir worldwide: the three MPs torn the draft law during a parliamentary meeting and carried out the ritual Haka dance, which often serves to intimidate opponents before warlike arguments. The dance is best known for the New Zealand Rugby national team, which performs it before every match.
There was also resistance to the controversial legislative proposal. On the other hand, tens of thousands of people took to the street and demonstrated in front of the parliament building. In her opinion, the law would have restricted the rights of the Maori. The protest was successful: the controversial draft law was finally rejected.
Heated dispute over consequences for Maori MPs
However, the HAKA dealt with the parliament for a long time and caused heated discussions among MPs. A committee recommended the suspension of the Maori folk representatives: the HAKA was not fundamentally prohibited in parliament, but must be registered. The dance intimidated some MPs. Others called this “racist”.
In the end, the longest suspenders were in New Zealand’s history of parliament. “We are punished for being Maori,” said a suspended member of the BBC. “We represent the attitude to be uncompromising Māori and put the needs and expectations of our people in the first place.”
Sources: ,,
EPP
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
