Beyond Memes, Māori Haka by NZ MP in Parliament Stands For Something Bigger
Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke performed haka in the parliament of New Zealand. While the incident quickly became a meme, many people missed why Hana had to demonstrate the war cry of Māori. In fact, many even failed to understand why the people of the indigenous community took to the streets in large numbers. This article attempts to articulate all of it in a basic manner.
Māori haka in New Zealand’s parliament was performed by Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, simply known as Hana. She is the youngest elected member of the parliament in the last 170 years. Her appointment was cemented when she was just 21 years old. Hana shook the well-established members of New Zealand parliament by not just tearing a document, but also by performing haka. Others from the Māori community sitting in the parliament almost instantly joined her.
The document that she tore was a copy of the controversial bill - Treaty Principles Bill. It reportedly intends to strip Māori community members of the rights they were granted in the past.
The Treaty Principles Bill is believed to have been drafted in a manner that comes as a direct attack on their language, culture, health, and land rights. Land rights, for one, have often been a subject of debate for the Māori community.
Haka was a way for Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke to demonstrate protest as the bill’s first reading was underway. She was not alone as many from the community had undertaken hīkoi, a 9-day nationwide protest in the form of a walk to the parliament. What later triggered haka in the premise was the forwarding of the first reading within just 4 days of hīkoi. This was seen as a way to avoid the pressure from Māori to exercise their right to protest.
Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, understanding the gravity of the subject, did her part within the parliament. Hīkoi was being led by Toitū Te Tiriti. The group is allegedly closely linked to The Māori Party which has 6 seats in the parliament, of which Hana is a member.
The Māori community makes up almost 18% of the total population of New Zealand. Records state that they came to the country in 1200 AD.
Hana, in the recent protest, urged Māori community members to update their rallying cry to fighting forever and being well forever. She is also known for taking a stand on foreign policies of the current government. Hana sought an immediate ceasefire in Gaza while criticizing the government for turning a blind eye to the ongoing genocide. She demanded the temporary expulsion of the US and Israeli ambassadors.
She remains unapologetic about performing haka in New Zealand’s parliament. Hana reportedly walked out after her protest and interacted with the media. There, Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke underlined that she was only being Māori, adding that that was the only protest they could do.
There is little information about the second reading of the Treaty Principles Bill. Hīkoi was last seen facing questions for being led by politicians. Movements ideally can only be led by people and not politicians; however, hīkoi is believed to have formed an association with The Māori Party, or Te Pāti Māori.
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