WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s Parliament was briefly suspended on 9 October after people in the public gallery broke into a haka, a traditional Maori dance, following the maiden speech of the newest Maori Party MP, Oriini Kaipara.The interruption took place soon after Kaipara, elected in September to fill a vacant seat, addressed the House for the first time. As part of a pre-approved celebration, MPs and spectators sang a Maori song to mark her arrival. However, the atmosphere quickly shifted when the public gallery launched into an unapproved haka, joined by a few MPs, as reported by Reuters.Speaker Gerry Brownlee immediately called for order. “No, not that. The guarantee was that would not be taking place,” he said, before suspending the session when the haka continued.Under parliamentary rules, members and their supporters must seek permission before singing or performing in the chamber. The Speaker later confirmed that an investigation would be held to determine whether any MPs or parties knew of the plan in advance, calling the act “contemptuous,” Reuters cited.Kaipara’s arrival marks another milestone for Te Pati Maori, which has been vocal in its efforts to uphold Indigenous representation and cultural identity in New Zealand’s politics.The party has also drawn controversy in the past. In June, three of its MPs were handed record suspensions for performing a haka to protest a Bill seeking to reinterpret a 184-year-old treaty between the British Crown and the Maori people. The Bill was later defeated.Once a war cry and a ritual to welcome visiting tribes, the haka remains a vital expression of Maori heritage, now performed at national events, ceremonies, and before every New Zealand rugby match.
