The work of the New Zealand parliament was temporarily suspended by lawmakers performing a traditional Maori dance - haka - amid outrage over a controversial bill aimed at rethinking the country's founding treaty with the Maori people, the BBC reports, UNN writes.
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MP from the opposition Hana-Raviti party, Maipi Clarke, began a traditional ceremonial group dance after being asked whether her party supported the bill, which was to have its first vote on Thursday.
At the same time, a hikoi - or peaceful protest march - was organized by a Maori rights group, heading toward the capital Wellington. Thousands of people have already joined the 10-day march against the bill, which began in New Zealand's far north on Monday.
The country is often considered a leader in indigenous rights, but opponents of the bill fear that this bill jeopardizes those rights. Critics say the bill will divide the country and lead to a loss of much-needed support for many Maori.
The first reading took place on Thursday after a 30-minute break with the support of all parties in the ruling coalition. Maypi-Clark was suspended from the chamber.
It is unlikely that the bill will pass the second reading, as the coalition partners have said they will not support it, the newspaper writes.
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