New Zealand’s Parliament witnessed a dramatic moment as Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, known for being the youngest member in the House, took a bold stand against a contentious Indigenous Treaty Bill which aims to redefine the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
The video of Te Pāti Māori MP ripping up the document and then performing the powerful haka went viral, quickly gaining support from those in the public gallery.
The haka soon spread to the opposition benches, prompting the chamber to be cleared and Maipi-Clarke to be suspended.
The New Zealand government is pulling back on protecting Māori rights, sparking protests from indigenous lawmakers who oppose the decision with their traditional “haka” chant.
The 22-year-old member of Te Pāti Māori led the haka in a clear expression of resistance, symbolizing her strong opposition to the bill’s implications for Māori rights. Other parliamentarians and members in the gallery joined her, prompting Speaker Gerry Brownlee to temporarily adjourn the session.
The Treaty Principles Bill seeks to outline the application of rights originally granted under the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, which established the foundation for relationships between Māori tribes and the New Zealand government.
The treaty affirmed Māori authority over their lands and resources while recognizing British governance. This proposed legislation, however, has met fierce resistance, with opponents arguing it could compromise Māori rights by generalizing treaty protections to apply to all citizens.
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke’s actions in Parliament reflect a broader frustration within Te Pāti Māori and Māori communities regarding the government’s approach to indigenous issues.
What all of these principles have in common is that they afford Māori different rights from other New Zealanders,” Seymour said.
Meanwhile, though Prime Minister Christopher Luxon opposed to the bill, he allowed his party to vote in favour of it as part of a political agreement with Seymour’s ACT party – a move that sparked outrage among opposition members.

“Shame! Shame! Shame on you, David Seymour,” shouted Willie Jackson, a Māori lawmaker, before being ejected from the chamber. “Shame on you for what you’re trying to do to this nation.”

The Treaty Principles Bill has provoked widespread dissent and sparked demonstrations across New Zealand, with thousands rallying to voice their discontent. Supporters fear the bill’s passage could lead to racial tensions and constitutional challenges. Given its lack of broad support, it remains uncertain whether the bill will advance, yet Maipi-Clarke’s spirited protest has brought critical attention to its potential consequences for Māori communities.
Elected in 2023, Maipi-Clarke has consistently advocated for Māori rights and critiqued Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s policies, which some say erode indigenous protections. Her prominence has even led to her inclusion in a list of alternative candidates for the role of Prime Minister, as a recent poll indicated growing support for leaders outside the current administration.