Meet Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, the 22-Year-Old Lawmaker Behind that Viral Haka Protest

“Kōhanga Reo Technology” was a transparent assertion to Parliament: “This place as soon as wished us to actually go extinct, and we’ve got come again stronger by being a million sturdy who know their reo (language), their whakapapa (family tree). That was the greatest weapon we may ever convey to them, is surviving. However really, we’re on that stage thriving for our children.”

In February 2021, Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi refused to put on a tie in Parliament, as a substitute sporting an Aotea stone necklace. It sparked dialog about what was thought-about applicable enterprise apparel, with Waititi himself asking, “Why are Pākehā (a term for European New Zealanders) making Māori costume like they need us to decorate?”

This impressed Maipi-Clarke from afar. “It wasn’t a legislation that he modified on paper, but it surely was altering the minds and society,” she says. “All the time now, you will note taonga Māori, or prized possessions, represented throughout the board and in company areas.”

Maipi-Clarke acquired her first actual style of the politics realm when her grandfather gave a submission concerning the creation of “Māori wards” with their native authorities in 2021. She explains, “Māori wards is when you might have one consultant who’s Māori from that place to advocate on council.”

At the time, Maipi-Clarke stood as much as give her Pop’s submission on his behalf, and she or he questioned the lack of Māori illustration in entrance of her. “’You will have Māori doing all your cups of tea and your karakia, or prayer, however you don’t have Māori at the resolution desk,'” she recollects. “I mentioned it at that level, ‘I’ve by no means skilled racism like that,’ and oh my God, I got here right here [to Parliament] — now I do know all about it.”

When the proposal was voted down by the council, Maipi-Clarke and others blasted it throughout social media. She thinks the public scrutiny and strain is what finally solidified the unanimous vote in favor of making Māori wards in Hamilton.