Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke and the resurgence of Māori sovereignty in Aotearoa
- Tenzin Dorjee
- Jun 6
- 2 min read
In May 2025, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, New Zealand’s youngest Member of Parliament and representative of Te Pāti Māori, was suspended from Parliament following her protest against the Treaty Principles Bill. This disciplinary action marked a new chapter in her determined advocacy for Māori sovereignty and constitutional recognition, highlighting a pivotal shift in the nation’s political climate.
A powerful stance in Parliament
Earlier in November 2024, Maipi-Clarke drew global attention when she performed a haka in Parliament, tearing up the bill and denouncing it as an attack on the Treaty of Waitangi. The bill, introduced by the ACT Party, proposed to redefine the principles underpinning New Zealand’s founding document.
This symbolic act of resistance became a viral sensation, with video footage of her haka accumulating over 700 million views. It galvanised a national response: 300,000 public submissions opposed the bill and more than 40,000 protesters marched to Parliament in a demonstration of collective disapproval.
The defeat of the Treaty Principles Bill
These acts of protest and public solidarity culminated in a historic defeat of the bill on 10 April 2025, with 112 votes against and only 11 in favour. The scale of opposition underscored the centrality of the Treaty of Waitangi to Aotearoa’s identity and governance, affirming Māori communities’ demand for genuine partnership.
Despite this legislative success, Maipi-Clarke and her fellow Te Pāti Māori leaders faced severe penalties. Co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer were suspended for 21 days, raising serious questions about the limits of cultural expression within formal political institutions.
Legislative efforts and long-term vision
Maipi-Clarke has since introduced new legislation aimed at mandating formal parliamentary recognition of the Treaty of Waitangi and embedding Māori strategies into national policy. Her proposals seek to address longstanding disparities in health, education, and political representation, aligning with global sustainability frameworks.
Her efforts tie closely to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), reaffirming the importance of inclusive governance and respect for Indigenous rights in achieving sustainable development.
A legacy of activism and identity
Maipi-Clarke’s activism is not new. She comes from a distinguished lineage of Māori advocates. Her grandfather, Taitimu Maipi, famously removed the Captain Hamilton statue in 2020, while her grand-aunt, Hana Te Hemara, was a leading figure in the Māori language movement. This lineage reinforces her position not just as a politician, but as a guardian of cultural memory and progress.
A call for global collaboration
The episode serves as a potent reminder of the global society's role in safeguarding Indigenous rights. As countries worldwide reassess their colonial legacies, the example set by Maipi-Clarke demonstrates the power of grassroots mobilisation and institutional challenge.
Realising the UN Sustainable Development Goals demands recognising and elevating Indigenous voices in decision-making processes. The case of Aotearoa provides a compelling model for countries striving for equity and reconciliation in policy.
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