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Why New Zealand's Youngest MP's Viral Haka Dance Protest Matters

Politics

December 12, 2024

Strength. Unity. Immense cultural pride.

No matter where in the world you come from, how much you know about New Zealand politics or Māori culture, the power of the Haka is moving people to tears.

On the 14th of November, Hana-Rawhiti Mapi-Clarke - the country’s youngest MP - bought parliament to a halt with the traditional Māori dance. You may have seen the viral video which quickly surpassed 200 million views on TikTok.

With such global attention, many people are asking the question: what is happening in New Zealand, and why are Māoris protesting through the Haka?

Photo of a man in Paihia, New Zealand, performing the Haka

Credit: Wallace Fonseca from Unsplash

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What is the Treaty of Waitangi?

At its heart, the recent protests stem from a centuries-old battle for Māori Rights. Māori people are the indigenous community of mainland New Zealand.

One hundred and eighty years ago, New Zealand's founding document was signed - The Treaty of Waitangi - which allowed the British crown to govern the country and promised existing communities the freedom of their own land.

However, there were two versions - one written in English and one in Māori. They were not translated exactly and this meant that the British believed they had greater authority than the Māoris knew they had authorised.

Over centuries, the British breached both versions. Protests grew over the years that the British had not upheld their promises of rights to the indigenous community.

This led to the Treaty Principles Bill in 1975 which finally put Māori rights into clear law. Historically, the bill has been seen as a mark of peace and commitment to cultural preservation.

The Treaty of Waitangi on display at The National Library, Wellington.

Credit: Archives New Zealand from wiki-commons

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Why is this changing?

Last year, Zealand’s Government became a rocky coalition made up of three parties who govern together. One of these is the Act party who secured just 9% of overall votes.

Act politician David Seymor is facing ardent backlash for his proposal to rewrite the Treaty Principles Bill. This would radically change the way the original Treaty of Waitangi is interpreted in law - and thus the rights of indigenous people.

Seymor argues he wants the rights to be applicable to all New Zealanders not just Māoris. He says the current bill is “contrary to equal rights” and needs reforming.

The House of Representatives Debating chamber

Credit: Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives, NZ from wikicommons

But isn't this a good thing?

Māori communities face systemic barriers compared to other New Zealanders and have a unique heritage that needs protecting. Activists are concerned that a new bill would remove monumental changes bought in to give everyone a fair chance.

For example, the current Treaty Principles Bill ensures that the Māori community are represented in decision-making, by having mandatory quotas within parliament. If Seymour’s proposal goes ahead, this will be removed.

In the 1980s, just 25% of Māori children could speak their cultural language due to widespread discrimination that caused it to die out. But because of the current Treaty Principles Act, the language was revitalised with initiatives to boost Māori classes in schools. Today, many Māori words are commonplace amongst all New Zealanders.The act has also allowed other policies to be put into law, protecting Māori rights, as well as a Māori health programme.

This would’ve never happened if it wasn’t for the current Treaty Principles Act which Seymour wants to remove. If the New Policy goes ahead, legal experts such as Māori will have fewer legal mechanisms to protect their rights.

Photo of man in Paihia, New Zealand, wearing traditional Māori dress

Credit: Wallace Fonseca from Unsplash

What is Haka and why was it used as a form of protest?

The Haka Mapi-Clarke performed ‘ka-mate’ originates in the Māori tale of a chief evading capture from a rival tribe or iwi. Two hundred years ago, Ngati Toa Chief Te Rauparaha, was given refuge by another iwi who hid him in a kumara or sweet potato pit.

As he emerged from the pitch black into the light, he chanted the words ‘ka mate ka mate, ka ora ka ora’ - the same words which echoed through New Zealand’s Parliament. It translates to ‘it is death, it is death, it is life, it is life’.

Since then, the Haka has been used to prepare soldiers for battle, or in more modern scenarios, important events such as weddings or funerals.

Being an evocative and deeply woven part of Maori culture, it only makes sense that this was chosen as a form of protest.

What happens next?

This was the first reading of the proposed bill. Despite the protests, it has been approved for a second reading to discuss its terms - sparking hundreds more to peacefully protest. Members of all communities came together for a hikoi - a nine-day March from New Zealand's north to the national capital of Wellington.

New Zealand's capital of Wellington at Night

Credit:Unknown contributor from Wiki-commons

Other political parties such as New Zealand First and the National Party have said they will not support the bill becoming official legislation. However, they have backed this first reading due to a coalition agreement.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said: “You do not go negate, with a single stroke of a pen, 184 of debate and discussion, with a bill that I think is very simplistic” before he left for the Asian-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Summit.

Following her Haka, which saw spectators in the gallery join in, Mapi-Clarke was suspended for a day from parliament and docked a day's pay. Nevertheless, the politician who has featured in the BBC’s prestigious list of influential women, 100 women for 2024, is undeterred.

She remains determined to speak up on issues affecting her community. Speaking with 1News, Mapi-Clarke said: “I’d do it again and again.”

Sources:

Megan Wilson
1,000+ pageviews

Writer since Oct, 2024 · 8 published articles

Megan Floella Dova Wilson is an aspiring writer from the UK. Her inspiration comes from exploring wherever she can- from art galleries to nature trips. She enjoys reading and indulging her two cats.

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