Nina Benoit’s Post

Maori MPs Perform Haka in Parliament to Protest Controversial Treaty Bill A dramatic protest unfolded in New Zealand's parliament as Maori members performed a powerful haka and tore up a controversial bill seeking to reinterpret the 1840 Waitangi Treaty. The protest, led by Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, highlights the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights. Despite the resistance, the bill passed its first reading and will now head to a select committee. This defiance has ignited nationwide debates about the treaty’s legacy and its implications for Maori sovereignty #Maori, #Protest, #Haka, #Rights, #Treaty, #Waitangi, #Parliament, #Bill, #Sovereignty, #History, #Culture, #Leadership, #Indigenous, #Decolonization, #Activism, #Resistance, #Law, #Politics, #Heritage, #Struggle, #Debate, #Movement, #Representation, #Land, #Crown, #Chiefs, #Power, #Legacy, #Justice, #Tradition, #Autonomy, #Equality, #Voice, #Community, #Heritage, #Empowerment, #Opposition, #Authority, #Governance, #Identity, #Solidarity, #Rebellion, #Nationalism, #Preservation, #Reform, #Independence, #Tensions, #Demonstration, #Rally, #Protesters, #Custom, #Ceremony, #Defiance, #Freedom, #Unity, #Recognition, #Advocacy, #Justice, #Dispute, #Authority, #Reinterpretation, #TreatyRights, #Reform, #Advocacy, #Action, #Lawmaking, #Revolution, #Opposition, #MaoriCulture, #Historical

The recent events in New Zealand’s Parliament, where Māori lawmakers performed a haka in protest, highlight a powerful stand for Indigenous rights. This act was more than symbolic—it was a direct call for recognition and respect for the Treaty of Waitangi, a cornerstone of New Zealand’s history. The treaty isn’t just a document; it represents a sacred partnership between the Māori and the Crown, ensuring protection and sovereignty. The haka performed in Parliament wasn’t just a protest but a powerful cultural statement that demands acknowledgment of Māori voices in decision-making processes that affect them. This moment resonates globally as Indigenous communities everywhere fight for their rights and recognition. For advocates of equity and inclusion, this protest is a call to action. It’s a reminder that true progress comes from meaningful engagement, not top-down policies. By standing up, Māori leaders are showing the world that the fight for justice isn’t over—and we must all listen deeply to those whose voices have been silenced for too long. #IndigenousRights #MāoriVoices #TreatyOfWaitangi #CatharticCatalyst #CulturalResilience #SocialJustice #EquityInAction #ParliamentProtest #InclusionMatters #JustAMomFromAkron #IndigenousAdvocacy #RespectTheTreaty #VoicesOfThePeople #GlobalSolidarity #BarberBeauty413 #CulturalEmpowerment #RightsAndRecognition #JusticeForAll #DontRaiseStatistics #IndigenousSovereignty #StandWithMāori #ChangeForBetter #RebelWithACause #HumanRights

The Māori haka in the New Zealand Parliament. The are a lot of things to say about this beautiful statement. First, it is a sign of healthy recovery of a culture that was, for so many times, oppressed / suppressed. She broke the rule of the "formal" speech in an institution that is, by its simple existence, a reminiscence of colonialism. Secondly, this form of protest is a "follow-up" of some other events that happened in 2021 and in 2023. In 2021 Rawiri Waititi was thrown out of parliament for performing a Māori haka. At that time, Waititi's reaction was a direct result of the paternalistic and, sometimes disrespectful, attitude addressed to the indigenous people. Link to this event here: https://lnkd.in/dZxVQ22K In 2023 Rawiri Waititi broke again the "protocol" as a reaction to the government's reversal of indigenous policies... Links to this event here: https://lnkd.in/dZC3pkxh) and here: https://lnkd.in/dpEzbAHJ Thirdly, it is interesting to see the reaction (or the lack of it) in the international world (mass-media, publications etc). And it is even more interesting to observe the way that Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke was visually depicted (for example in this article). https://lnkd.in/dqbYkHi3

I welcome the Waitangi Tribunal’s contribution to the debate about the principles of the Treaty. We need a national conversation about our founding document. Are there two classes of New Zealanders in partnership, each with different rights? Or are we a modern democracy where all citizens have equal rights? I look forward to having that discussion over the next several months. My fundamental question is this: where are the successful societies that treat people differently based on their ancestry? Many of the worst events in history came from treating humans based on their membership of a group. If the Treaty is a partnership between the Crown and only Māori, what is the place of a non-Māori child born today? Are they born into second class citizenship where some public positions are not available to them because they have the wrong ancestors? New Zealand can have a bright future, but it requires casting off the divisive notion that the Treaty is a partnership between two classes of New Zealanders each with different rights. It is not only untrue, it is incompatible with the fundamental democratic value that all citizens are equal under the law. Each of us is united by universal humanity. The same rights, the same dignities for every person. That is what has driven all the good movements in human history. My belief is that this is the only way forward for any society. Every time we say that people have different rights based on ancestry, we breed resentment. And more importantly, we create the idea that which group you're a member of is more important than your basic value as a human being.

Last week, New Zealand lawmakers tried to modify the treaty that governed the relations between the Māori and colonizers. This treaty has been in place for 184 years and is the founding document of New Zealand, and the politicians on the rights are trying to roll back rights of the Māori. Politician Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke responded to these attempts by tearing up the proposed bill and leading the other Māori lawmakers and observers in the audience into a rousing haka, which interrupted the vote. https://buff.ly/3Zfj6XX The video of the haka is making the rounds, and every time I see it, I stop and watch. When I see a haka performed I often well up with tears. There's something about witnessing the collective power of people doing a haka that speaks to my soul. A few years ago, I had a chance to visit Aotearoa (New Zealand). I remember being struck by how interwoven the Māori culture was in the country. Coming from the US, where so much of the history of Indigenous people has been erased, I noticed the stark difference. From signage to what was covered in museums. It seemed like the people in the country were willing to reckon with the harm that colonization caused that I hadn't seen at home. There seemed to be collective pride about the infusion. At the time, I thought the Māori culture was prominent because the people in New Zealand were so progressive. Now that I've read about this bill in New Zealand, I know that is not the case. The Māori fought for that inclusion. It's a good reminder that progress isn't given because those in dominant groups are good people. Progress happens because people fight together to push for it. May we remember that in the coming days. And may Māori be victorious in blocking this bill and protecting their rights.

Why is the Sioui decision important? The Supreme Court’s 1990 Sioui decision is important because it was part of the development of modern treaty interpretation principles. For more answers to frequently asked questions about Indigenous rights, check out Bruce's Indigenous Rights in One Minute @ https://buff.ly/3NhyYQI

DAVID SEYMOUR THE VOICE OF ANGRY UNTHNKING NEW ZEALAND Anyone with a slight inkling of intelligence, & more than just a fleeting knowledge of our nation's grubby history will understand if it's good for Maori it's great for us all Please feel welcome to share or make a well reasoned (not emotionally driven) comment based in fact. The politicians central to the Principles of the Treaty Bill have been "disappointing" One labels a haka in Parliament “unacceptable and threatening.” A 2nd suggests the “Hikoi” is a political stunt to get people on to the Maori Roll. And a 3rd says, it'd time for Maoridom to go “back to the grindstone”. All a touch condescending These politicans are trying their damndest to divide us by seeking to appeal to angry Pākehā voters that we Maori are enemy. That's what politicians do - divide people In the meantime the architect of this “Equal rights for all Bill” should be commended, no not for the Bill. We all know it’s not going to be passed - but for his political savvy in putting together a plan “As cunning as a fox who's just been appointed Professor of Cunning at Oxford University” A Machiavellian Blackadder couldn’t have done it better He’s played our PM's political naivety(a similar view expressed by Matthew Hooton), orchestrated the media &the closed minded have bought his rhetoric hook line & sinker. Brilliant. Soon Deputy PM, he has timed his run to ensure high visibility for the next election cycle. He will gain maximum free political media mileage. His dulcet tones have won broad public appeal amongst angry Pakeha voters. Touche. The Treaty of Waitangi is a document of constitutional significance. The enlighted submission by 40 Kings’ Counsels states the principles are “now settled law.” It captures why discontent within Maori & many Non-Maori is widespread Those KC’s assert the Bill has the “effect of unilaterally changing the meaning of the Treaty without the agreement of Maori as a partner.” This is where the Bill fails. It does not recognise the status of Maori as a “partner” only as an individual The inescapable fact is there is an urgent need to do something positive to arrest the social, economic, cultural and spiritual decline of Maori. Since the days of Sir Apirana Ngata the battles for a fair shake have been upward. Very little has trickled back down. Where I hope all New Zealanders land is this -“what’s good for Maori is great for all New Zealanders”

Why is the Sioui decision important? The Supreme Court’s 1990 Sioui decision is important because it was part of the development of modern treaty interpretation principles. For more answers to frequently asked questions about Indigenous rights, check out Bruce's Indigenous Rights in One Minute @

What was required to create a historical treaty? Why is the Sioui decision important? What are treaties? What is the Doctrine of Discovery? For clear, plain answers to these and other questions about Indigenous rights, check out Bruce McIvor's Indigenous Rights in One Minute @ https://buff.ly/3NhyYQI

What a powerful statement!! https://lnkd.in/dgnH2xp8