Hana-Rawhiti Kareariki Maipi-Clarke, aged 22, is the youngest Member of Parliament in New Zealand in nearly two centuries and represents Te Pati Maori.
Recently, following the tearing of a controversial bill in Parliament, her performance of the traditional Maori haka captured widespread attention on social media.
New Zealand's youngest MP began her speech with a traditional Māori haka performance
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— Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) September 7, 2024Educated at Te Wharekura o Rākaumangamanga in Huntly, Maipi-Clarke first made national headlines when she was elected in the 2023 elections and performed the haka during her inaugural speech. Recognized for her vibrant approach to politics, she has been prominently featured in local polls as a favoured candidate for Prime Minister, reflecting her rising influence amid dissatisfaction with the current conservative leadership.
The youngest member of New Zealand’s parliament, Māori Party MP Hana-Rawhiti Kareariki Maipi-Clarke, started a haka to protest the first vote on a contentious bill that would reinterpret a 184-year-old treaty between the British and Indigenous Maori.
The parliament was briefly… pic.twitter.com/ik8hreIpAM
— Gulf Daily News (@GDNonline) November 14, 2024Maipi-Clarke has consistently voiced strong opposition to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s policies, which she argues compromise Maori rights. From a young age, she has been deeply engaged in Maori cultural studies; at 17, she authored a book on maramataka, the Maori lunar calendar, inspired by her studies under Rangi Matamua.
Additionally, she has conducted educational sessions on maramataka and Matariki for the New Zealand Warriors, emphasizing her commitment to promoting Maori culture and knowledge.
