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November 15, 2024
Māori Party halts Parliament over Treaty Bill
Claudette Hauiti
Posted On November 15, 2024
Download AudioTe Pāti Māori and Hauraki Waikato MP Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke temporarily halted Parliament’s passage of the first reading of the controversial Treaty Principles Bill yesterday.
Following speeches, parties were asked to cast their votes.
Maipi-Clarke seized the moment to perform the haka “Ka Mate, Ka Mate” after voting, inspiring supporters in the Gallery to join.
“Kawana, ka manuwhiritia koe e au. Ka mate, ka mate. Ka ora, ka ora…. The house is suspended until the ringing of the bells. The gallery is to be cleared,” says Maipi-Clarke and Gerry Brownlee.
The Speaker of the House then suspended proceedings for half an hour.
Upon resumption, he charged Maipi-Clarke with misconduct, resulting in her suspension from the House for 24 hours.
The vote was retaken, and the Bill passed its first reading.
