The New Zealand parliament withdrew Wednesday after expelling a Maori lawmaker for refusing to wear a tie, allowing him to speak without an accomplice who he called a “colonial noose.” The issue flared up on Tuesday when Maori Party co-chair Rawiri Waititi was expelled from the parliamentary debating chamber for not wearing the required attire during Question Time.
Waititi, who has a ‘te moko’ tattoo and wears a black cowboy hat, argued that he was wearing legitimate Maori business attire – a traditional hanger.
“This is not about bonds, it’s about cultural identity,” he said as he left.
TVNZ / Handout via REUTERS
Native Maori make up about 15 percent of New Zealand’s five million residents, but are over-represented in statistics on poverty and imprisonment, with much injustice dating back to the days of British colonial rule.
Waititi said the tie row showed race ratios still need to be improved in the South Pacific country.
“This is a violation of the rights of indigenous peoples, we (must) have the freedom to express our cultural identity in a space like this,” he said.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she had no objection to lawmakers not wearing a tie, but added “there are much more important issues for all of us.”
After strictly enforcing the dress code on Tuesday, Parliament Speaker Trevor Mallard took a more relaxed approach when a badger-less Waititi spoke on Wednesday.
Instead of the Maori leader being dismissed, Mallard simply let him ask a question unhindered, later saying a permanent rule change was being considered.
Waititi was first elected to parliament last year and in his first speech told the story of an ancestor falsely hanged by the British for murder.
“I will adorn myself with the treasures of my ancestors and remove the colonial noose around my neck so I can sing my song,” he said, removing his tie.