New Zealand’s parliament was briefly suspended on Thursday after Maori members staged a haka to disrupt the vote on a contentious bill that would reinterpret a 184-year-old treaty between the British and Indigenous Maori.

Members of New Zealand's parliament have rallied the international community in support of the island country's indigenous groups, as contentious legislation moves forward that could threaten Maori support systems.

New Zealand’s parliament descended into chaos as Maori members staged a haka in protest against a bill that would “reinterpret” the country’s founding treaty.

Maori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke made a powerful stand, tearing up the Treaty Bill and performing the haka in Parliament.

New Zealand's Parliament was briefly suspended on Thursday after Maori members staged a haka to disrupt the vote on a contentious bill that would reinterpret a 184-year-old treaty between the British and Indigenous Maori.

Clarke, New Zealand's youngest MP, staged a protest in Parliament by ripping up the controversial Treaty Principles Bill and performing a haka, sparking widespread debate and protests over the bill's impact on Maori rights.

On Thursday, Indigenous Maori leaders staged a haka, a Maori dance that was traditionally a challenge to opponents.

New Zealand's parliament was brought to a temporary halt by MPs performing a haka, amid anger over a controversial bill seeking to reinterpret the country's founding treaty with Māori people. Opposition party MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke began the traditional ceremonial group dance after being asked whether her party supported the bill,