New Zealand's Parliament ruled on record suspensions for three Te Pati Maori lawmakers who performed a haka in protest of a bill deemed to undermine Indigenous rights. Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke received a seven-day ban, while party leaders were suspended for 21 days. This action drew global attention and ignited debates on whether the Parliament respects Maori culture or feels threatened by it. A report highlighted that sanctions were due to movement across the chamber and not the haka itself, leading to contentious discussions without a consensus on appropriate punishment.
The lawmakers were not punished for performing the haka itself, but for striding across the floor of the chamber while doing it.
This protest drew global headlines and provoked months of debate about whether New Zealand's Parliament valued Maori culture or felt threatened by it.
The punishment was so severe that Parliament Speaker Gerry Brownlee ordered a debate among lawmakers to reach a consensus on appropriate repercussions.
Despite attempts for a lighter sanction from the opposition, government lawmakers firmly rejected all proposals during hours of emotional speeches.
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