New Zealand’s parliament was suspended and two lawmakers were ejected during a vote on a controversial proposed law redefining the country’s founding agreement between Indigenous Māori and the British Crown. The proposed law would redefine the Treaty of Waitangi, which promises broad rights for Māori to tribes retain their lands and protect their interests in return for ceding governance to the British. The bill would specify that those rights should apply to all New Zealanders.
Māori lawmakers perform Haka in New Zealand parliament protesting controversial proposed law
New Zealand’s parliament was suspended and two lawmakers were ejected during a vote on a controversial proposed law redefining the country’s founding agreement between Indigenous Māori and the British Crown. The proposed law would redefine the Treaty of Waitangi, which promises broad rights for Māori to tribes retain their lands and protect their interests in return for ceding governance to the British. The bill would specify that those rights should apply to all New Zealanders.