You know that really neat Haka dance that the Maori warriors did and then it went viral a few years ago as a rugby dance?
And then this lady brought it to parliament:
Yeah, it's back. And if you thought that was cringe (and it was) then buckle up.
This time, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke did the Haka with her fellow Maori Party members while ripping up an equal rights bill, shutting down the parliament.
Because voting "no" wasn't cool or viral enough.
Yeah ... I have some patience for it as a tradition, or in a football game. But if you're going to do it to promote your brand of racial politics and shut down government proceedings ... I'm just not a fan any more.
New Zealand's parliament was brought to a temporary halt by MPs performing a haka, amid anger over a controversial bill seeking to reinterpret the country's founding treaty with Māori people.
Basically, the treaty originally signed with the Maori in the 1840s has led to that group receiving particular treatment under the government and special favors in the law, while other racial groups don't enjoy those benefits.
But Act - a minor party in the ruling centre-right coalition - say this (1840 Treaty) has resulted in the country being divided by race, and the bill will allow the treaty to be interpreted more fairly through parliament, rather than the courts. The party's leader, David Seymour, has dismissed opponents as wanting to 'stir up' fear and division.
Critics, however, say the legislation will divide the country and lead to the unravelling of much-needed support for many Māori.
So, instead of, you know, debating the bill, voting against the bill, filibustering, or anything like that, they ripped the bill in protest and did their dance.
Under the proposed legislation, the treaty principles that would be defined in law are:
that the government has a right to govern and that parliament has the full right to make laws
that the rights of Māori are respected by the Crown
that everyone is equal before the law and is entitled to equal protection under it.
It's a civil rights policy that says everyone must be treated equally. And the Maori busted up parliament over it.
It appears that she literally tore up a bill denying her special treatment.
This sums it up for me:
Hey, guys, you're welcome to participate. But this is a little bit out of bounds.
Debate the bill. Don't make a scene.
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