New Zealand postpones vote on suspension of indigenous Maori lawmakers
Indigenous rights Te Pati Maori party legislators' suspension request debate postponed until after budget debate on Thursday
ISTANBUL
New Zealand on Tuesday postponed a vote to suspend three indigenous lawmakers for performing a haka to protest last November, while protesters demonstrated outside of the parliament in support of the legislators.
Indigenous rights Te Pati Maori party legislators' suspension request debate has been postponed until after the budget debate on Thursday, so that they can participate.
Te Pati Maori party on Sunday issued an Instagram post calling on people to stage a protest demonstration.
The lawmakers' suspension debate has been pushed back to June 5.
Opposition parties have expressed their opposition to the suspension request.
Maori members of parliament in November disrupted a vote on the contentious Treaty Principles Bill, which sought to reinterpret a foundational treaty between the Indigenous Maori population and the British Crown.
Haka is a Maori war dance that symbolizes a tribe's pride, strength, and unity, and it has become a cultural staple for all New Zealanders.
The conservative ACT party introduced the bill, which was rejected by parliament last month.
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke faces a one-week suspension, while co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi face 21 days and will be "severely censured."
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