Three Te Pāti Māori MPs — Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi, and Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke — have been given the strongest punishment ever seen in New Zealand’s Parliament. They were suspended after performing a haka during a vote in November 2023 on the Treaty Principles Bill, which aims to redefine how the Treaty of Waitangi is viewed in law.
Ngarewa-Packer and Waititi were suspended for 21 days, while Maipi-Clarke was suspended for seven. All three left Parliament with their bags packed after the decision was made on June 5. Despite this, they say they won’t back down and are proud of their actions. Waititi said the haka wasn’t something planned but part of a deep cultural response. He also added, “You can bench my body from this House for 21 days, but you can never bench this movement.”
The haka sparked intense discussion. Supporters saw it as a powerful act of cultural pride, while others believed it was disruptive and possibly threatening to other MPs.
Debate Gets Heated and Personal
The suspensions were suggested by the Privileges Committee, chaired by Judith Collins. She said the haka might have intimidated other members and recommended the strict punishment. The matter was first raised in Parliament in May, but the debate was paused by National MP Chris Bishop so Parliament could focus on Budget discussions.
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When the debate resumed on June 5, it ran for over three hours and included emotional and passionate speeches. Labour MP Willie Jackson told the Te Pāti Māori MPs that he loved them, but asked them to consider compromise. They refused. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer criticised the Privileges Committee, saying it was biased and had “lost its way”. She also said that’s why the MPs didn’t attend the hearings.
Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, at just 22 years old the youngest MP in Parliament, delivered a bold speech. She said she joined Parliament to be a voice for the voiceless and questioned whether their punishment was really about rules — or because their voices were making people uncomfortable. “Is that the real intimidation here?” she asked.
The situation took another turn when Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters insulted Rawiri Waititi’s moko (facial tattoo), calling it “scribbles on his face”. He later had to apologise. Peters also called Te Pāti Māori “a bunch of extremists” and said New Zealanders, including Māori, had had enough of them.
Waititi described the debate as “pretty ugly and sad” afterward, but remained committed to defending Māori traditions and identity.
No Apology Option Given, Say MPs
One of the most controversial claims came from the Te Pāti Māori MPs themselves, who said they were never given the chance to apologise in exchange for a lighter punishment. While some government MPs suggested an apology might have helped, Ngarewa-Packer, Waititi, and Maipi-Clarke say this was never offered during their five appeals to the committee.
The trio will now return to their communities to encourage opposition to the Government’s Regulatory Standards Bill. The impact of their suspension is expected to be felt both in Parliament and beyond.
