New Zealand to suspend 3 lawmakers for haka protest

ISTANBUL

New Zealand is planning to temporarily suspend three lawmakers for a haka performance to protest the contested Treaty Principles Bill last November, according to media reports on Wednesday.

Indigenous rights Te Pati Maori party legislators are expected to be punished for "acting in a manner that could have the effect of intimidating a member of the House," Radio New Zealand (RNZ) reported.

Maori members of parliament performed the traditional ceremonial group dance to disrupt a vote on the contentious Treaty Principles Bill, seeking to reinterpret a foundational treaty with its Indigenous Maori population and the British Crown.

The bill, introduced by the conservative ACT Party, was voted down last month in parliament.

The three lawmakers are expected to be suspended next Tuesday after a vote in parliament. All lawmakers are expected to vote in favor of the suspensions.

The suspensions will prevent the legislators from participating in the Budget debate next week.

Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke is facing a one-week suspension, while co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi face 21 days and will be "severely censured."

"This is the most severe punishment handed down in our history. The worst on record was 3 days. When tangata whenua resist, colonial powers reach for the maximum penalty. This is a warning shot for all of us to fall in line," said the Te Pati Maori on X.