MPs Who Participated in Viral Haka Face Complaints

Act MP Todd Stephenson has written a letter to Speaker Gerry Brownlee complaining about the MPs who participated in the viral haka that took place at the House of Representatives last week. In the letter, Stephenson raises questions of privilege and contempt under Standing Order 410, citing actions that have a tendency to impede a member conducting their business.

Understanding The Main Concept

The incident in question occurred during a debate in the House of Representatives when Te Pati Māori MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi Clarke led a group of MPs in a haka. The performance was widely shared on social media and sparked controversy, with some arguing that it was a cultural expression and others seeing it as inappropriate.

The Complaints Against the Participating MPs

Te Ao Māori News has obtained a copy of an individual complaint against each of the MPs who took part in the haka. The complaints were sent to the Speaker’s office, and Act MP Todd Stephenson has asked that the incident be referred to the Privilege Committee.

The Claims Made by Act MP Todd Stephenson

In his letter to Brownlee, Stephenson described the events as follows:

• Te Pati Māori co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, alongside Maipi Clarke, were “shouting and making aggressive gestures” towards Act MPs.
• At one point, Ms Ngarewa-Packer made a gun gesture and pointed it towards Members, saying “kino”.
• The haka is commonly known as a war dance and is designed to intimidate.

The List of MPs Involved

Stephenson listed the following names as those who took part in the haka:

1. Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke
2. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer
3. Rawiri Waititi
4. Peeni Henare
5. Kahurangi Carter
6. Benjamin Doyle
7. Shanan Halbert
8. Huhana Lyndon
9. Willow-Jean Prime
10. Mariameno Kapi-Kingi
11. Teanau Tuiono

The MPs Who Stood Up in Support

Stephenson also listed the following names as those who stood up in support of the haka:

1. Steve Abel
2. Ginny Anderson
3. Camilla Belich
4. Glen Bennec
5. Reuben Davidson
6. Julie Anne Genter
7. Ingrid Leary
8. Ricardo Menéndez March
9. Tracey McLellan
10. Tamatha Paul
11. Lan Pham
12. Deborah Russell
13. Carmel Sepuloni
14. Chloe Swarbrick
15. Cusha Tangaere-Manuel
16. Jan Tinee
17. Tangi Utikere
18. Helen White
19. Arena Williams
20. Scott Willis

The Concerns Raised by Act MP Todd Stephenson

According to Stephenson, other members of the House found the actions of those who took part in the haka “intimidating, inappropriate, and caused discomfort and concern”.

“The scale, coordination and total disregard for parliamentary procedure is unprecedented,” Stephenson wrote.

Why This Matters For Parliament

The incident highlights concerns about the behavior of MPs during debates and the need for better boundaries between politicians and their colleagues. It also raises questions about the role of cultural expression in parliament and whether it should be subject to scrutiny.

How This Works In Practice

In order to address these concerns, parliament needs to establish clearer guidelines for when MPs can engage in cultural performances or other forms of expression during debates. This may involve revising Standing Orders to provide greater clarity on what is acceptable behavior.

The Way Forward

Ultimately, the fate of the complaint will depend on the outcome of a Privilege Committee hearing. If found guilty, the MPs involved could face disciplinary action, including expulsion from parliament.

However, it is also possible that the incident may be seen as a cultural expression and not a breach of parliamentary procedure. In this case, the MPs involved may be able to continue their careers without penalty.

Conclusion

The viral haka incident has sparked controversy in New Zealand’s parliament, with some arguing that it was a cultural expression and others seeing it as inappropriate. The complaints against the participating MPs highlight concerns about the behavior of politicians during debates and raise questions about the role of cultural expression in parliament. As the fate of the complaint is decided, it remains to be seen how this incident will shape the future of New Zealand’s parliament.

Important Questions Answered

* What are the potential consequences for MPs who participated in the viral haka?
* How can parliament establish clearer guidelines for when MPs can engage in cultural performances or other forms of expression during debates?
* Will the incident be seen as a cultural expression and not a breach of parliamentary procedure, or will it lead to disciplinary action?