New Zealand’s youngest MP, 22-year-old Hana-Rawhiti Kareariki Maipi-Clarke, has made headlines once again after her passionate protest against the Indigenous Treaty Bill during a parliamentary session. Representing Te Pāti Māori, Maipi-Clarke ripped up a copy of the controversial bill and performed a traditional Māori haka dance in Parliament, sparking a powerful moment of solidarity as other MPs and gallery spectators joined in.
The incident occurred on Thursday when members gathered to vote on the Treaty Principles Bill. Speaker Gerry Brownlee briefly suspended the session as the haka disrupted proceedings. The bill, rooted in the principles of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, aims to define the rights originally promised to Māori tribes, including land retention and cultural protection, but controversially seeks to extend those rights to all New Zealanders.
Who Is Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke?
Maipi-Clarke became the youngest MP in nearly 200 years after being elected in the 2023 New Zealand elections. A representative of Te Pāti Māori, she has been a vocal advocate for Māori rights and a critic of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s conservative policies, which have faced backlash for allegedly undermining Māori interests.
Maipi-Clarke initially made waves when she performed the haka during her maiden parliamentary speech. Her selection as a candidate, over her father, was attributed to her “youthful perspective.” Recently, she was listed among five preferred prime ministerial candidates in a local poll reported by Time Magazine, reflecting her growing political influence.
The Controversial Bill
The Treaty Principles Bill has faced significant criticism and little support, with opponents warning that it could incite racial discord and disrupt New Zealand’s constitutional framework. Thousands of citizens have taken to the streets this week in protest, underscoring the contentious nature of the proposal.
Despite its slim chances of becoming law, the bill has reignited debates over New Zealand’s colonial past and the role of the Treaty of Waitangi in shaping modern governance.
Maipi-Clarke’s protest has gone viral, symbolizing the broader fight for indigenous rights and showcasing the power of Māori cultural heritage in the political arena.
Sources By Agencies
