Summarised by Centrist
Te Pāti Māori MPs Rawiri Waititi, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke have been found in contempt of Parliament following a haka protest during the 14 November 2024 vote on the Government’s Treaty Principles Bill.
The Privileges Committee has recommended suspensions of up to 21 days without pay.
Committee chair Judith Collins called the protest, which included a haka, hand gestures and a direct approach toward ACT MPs, a serious breach: “The behaviour of Ms Maipi-Clarke, Ms Ngarewa-Packer and Mr Waititi was such that it could have the effect of intimidating other members of the House in the discharge of their duties.”
She said the right to vote without interference is fundamental: “It is not acceptable to physically approach another member on the floor of the debating chamber. It is particularly unacceptable for Ms Ngarewa-Packer to appear to simulate firing a gun at another member of Parliament.”
Ngarewa-Packer disputed that characterisation, saying she was performing not mimicking a firearm.
All three MPs defended their actions as legitimate Māori political expression. Maipi-Clarke apologised to the Speaker but said she would not apologise for the haka itself.
The committee said the issue was not the haka, but the context and conduct: “Performing a haka without the Speaker’s permission, during a vote, and in a manner that directly confronted other members, crossed the line into disorder and intimidation.”
The Labour Party agreed a contempt occurred but called the penalties excessive.
