Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Video Of Māori Lawmakers Performing Haka To Protest Anti-Indigenous Bill Has Internet Cheering

Maori lawmakers doing Haka
@whakaatamaori/TikTok

Lawmaker Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke ripped up a copy of an anti-indigenous bill in New Zealand's Parliament before starting a haka, and was soon joined by other indigenous lawmakers and protesters.

New Zealand, like many places that were colonized, is going through a moment of political conflict with regards to indigenous rights. And some of the country's Māori lawmakers knew just how to handle it in a recent parliamentary session.

During discussions of proposed legislation—The Treaty Principles Bill—that critics say would significantly infringe on indigenous land and cultural rights, legislator Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke led her fellow lawmakers in a haka, a traditional Māori ceremonial dance.


The moment happened after Maipi-Clarke of the country's Māori Party of Aotearoa (New Zealand) was asked how she and her party intended to vote on the bill. In response, she tore up a copy of the bill and launched into the dance in a powerful moment that has left progressives worldwide cheering.

The moment quickly reached a fever pitch as members of Parliament of multiple parties as well as spectators in the chamber's gallery joined in with the chants and movements in a stunning act of solidarity, to the ire of figures like Speaker of the House of Representatives Gerry Brownlee, who rolled his eyes.

Brownlee also retaliated by suspending Maipi-Clarke, who at 22 is the country's youngest-ever Member of Parliament, for the rest of the day.

Maipi-Clarke's haka comes amid waves of protest throughout New Zealand over the bill, which seeks to eliminate land use laws, government seats, health care provisions and cultural preservation rules under the Treaty of Waitangi.

That treaty was signed in 1840 by more than 500 Māori leaders, and its provisions were an exchange for allowing British colonists to govern.

The new legislation, The Treaty Principles Bill, seeks to reinterpret the provisions of the Treaty of Waitangi. It is not expected to pass, but has sparked outrage across New Zealand, including a nine-day march expected to culminate Tuesday in the capital of Wellington.

On social media, many were deeply inspired by Maipi-Clarke and the haka protest she led, especially in these times of creeping fascism worldwide.



The Māori people in New Zealand have lit the spark of revolution felt around the world

[image or embed]
— The Serfs (@theserfstv.bsky.social) November 15, 2024 at 5:58 PM



personally I support Māori women's right to be as mean as they want
— đŸ”»Bill KezosđŸ‡”đŸ‡žđŸ‡±đŸ‡§đŸ‡ŸđŸ‡ȘđŸ”» (@billkezos.bsky.social) November 18, 2024 at 10:01 AM


New Zealand’s parliament was disrupted by Māori members staging a Haka during a contentious vote over the reinterpretation of a 184-year-old treaty between the British and Indigenous Māori. Simply superb scenes.

[image or embed]
— HLTCO (@hltco.bsky.social) November 15, 2024 at 10:43 AM



In these times of ascendant fascism, Maipi-Clarke's deeply affecting spectacle is the blueprint for resistance.

May we all learn to follow her lead.

More from News

Jake Tapper; Markwayne Mullin
CNN

Jake Tapper Expertly Rips MAGA Rep's Defense Of Pete Hegseth's 'Drinking Problem'

CNN reporter Jake Tapper expertly shut down GOP Oklahoma Representative Markwayne Mullin's defense of Pete Hegseth's qualifications as a potential nominee for Secretary of Defense.

Hegseth, a former Fox and Friends weekend co-host, was selected by President-elect Donald Trump to join his cabinet as U.S. Secretary of Defense despite his lack of experience in global defense.

Keep ReadingShow less
2025 calendar with tweet overlayed reading: "We are so doomed"
Pakin Songmor/GettyImages; @Haywhyforyou/X

People Just Noticed An Ominous Detail About The 2025 Calendar—And Oh Dear

Christmas is already around the corner. Can you believe it?

This time each year, many of us are SMH-ing over the fact that another year has sped by as the holidays following Halloween hit us in rapid succession.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anok Yai; Alex Consani
Dave Benett/Getty Images; Dave Benett/Getty Images

Supermodel Sparks Debate With Reaction To Losing 'Model Of The Year' Award To Trans Model

Model Anok Yai sparked quite the debate on social media after she said she was "exhausted" and proceeded to call out the British Fashion Council after they awarded the 2024 Model of the Year award to trans model Alex Consani.

Consani, the first out trans model to ever win Model of the Year, expressed her excitement on Instagram, sharing celebratory photos and videos accompanied by the captions:

Keep ReadingShow less
Jonathan Bennett; Jonathan Bennett as Aaron Samuels in 'Mean Girls'
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images; Paramount Pictures

Jonathan Bennett Reveals He Wasn't First Choice For 'Mean Girls' Role With Wild Story

Most of us have applied for at least one dream job, only for it to be offered to someone else. But sometimes the story doesn't end with the job offer; in fact, we might get another chance at that job or even something better.

And according to Veronica Mars actor Jonathan Bennett, this concept can be applied to acting gigs, as well.

Keep ReadingShow less

People Share Things Their Partner Told Them That Changed The Way They Saw Them

Actions may speak louder than words, but that is not to say that words do not carry power.

In a single moment, how we feel about someone can totally change because of something surprising they have said.

Keep ReadingShow less