The Speaker of the House is “taking advice” after two Te Pati Māori MPs burnt a copy of a government bill outside Parliament yesterday, calling the act “the dumbest thing you could possibly do”.
Te Pati Māori shared a video of co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and MP Tākuta Ferris on social media last night, in which they set fire to a copy of the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) (Customary Marine Title) Amendment Bill.
In the video, Ferris said they were supporting the “burn the bill” movement, where protesters gathered on beaches and burnt copies of the legislation.
“Hurry up before we get arrested,” Ngarewa-Packer could be heard saying as Ferris ignites the paper, which was held in a bucket labelled “rāpihi” (rubbish).
“We send this bill into the hand of Mahuika [the goddess of fire],” Ferris said in te reo.
Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee said he was made aware of the video last night and was “currently taking advice”.
“It is the dumbest thing you could possibly do. It is highly arrogant and unacceptably irresponsible.”
The bill in question passed its third and final reading last night.
The Bill introduces a new, tougher test for recognition of customary rights that Māori would need to meet to stop certain activities that require a resource consent.
Ngarewa-Packer told NZ Herald the actions were to show her solidarity with those opposed to the bill, which she believed would have “horrific” consequences for race relations.
Responding to the Speaker, she accused him of having double standards and holding Te Pati Māori to a higher standard than other parties.
“We’re not here to please the Speaker.”
The events come after the Speaker set out plans last week to crack down on standards in Parliament after new Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara’s maiden speech went well over time and was followed by an unsanctioned haka.
