VIDEO: Youngest MP leads Haka protest against New Zealand treaty bill

New Zealand's parliament was briefly halted on Thursday as MPs performed a haka in protest of a bill aiming to reinterpret the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, the country's founding document between the Crown and Māori tribes.

The bill, introduced by the Act party, seeks to legally define the treaty's principles, a move critics fear could undermine Māori rights.

Opposition MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke led the haka after being asked about her party's stance on the bill, which passed its first vote. Simultaneously, a peaceful Māori protest march, the hīkoi, continued toward Wellington, drawing thousands to oppose the legislation.

The bill's proponents argue it would ensure a fairer interpretation of the treaty through Parliament, rather than the courts. However, critics contend it risks dividing the country and undoing years of progress on Māori rights.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has described the bill as divisive, even though he belongs to the same coalition. The proposed bill has sparked protests and public outcry, with many concerned it will erase Māori culture and disadvantage their communities further.

The Treaty of Waitangi, signed by the British and Māori tribes in 1840, has long been a point of contention due to differing versions in English and Māori. While not legally binding, its principles are integrated into New Zealand law, and critics say the bill misrepresents those principles. The bill is now heading to a select committee for a six-month public consultation.