New Zealand parliamentarian Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke made global news by delivering her maiden speech in the Māori language and performing the cultural Haka to honour her indigenous roots.
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According to the New Zealand Herald’s report, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke became the youngest lawmaker in the country’s 170-year history when she was elected into the parliament at the age of 21 last year.
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke paid tribute to her indigenous roots in the traditional way.
New Zealand natives’ speech in parliament pic.twitter.com/OkmYNm58Ke
— Enez Özen | Enezator (@Enezator) January 4, 2024
It is pertinent to mention that Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke hails from Huntly, a small town between Auckland and Hamilton. She believes that the voice of the current Māori generation should be heard.
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Moreover, a report by The Guardian stated that the lawmaker considers herself a guardian Maori language.
“I was given some advice before making it into Parliament, to not take anything personally,” she said. “Well, I can’t help but take everything personally that has been said in this Chamber.
“In only a couple of weeks … this Government has attacked my whole world … Health, Taiao (environment), wai (water), Whenua (land), natural resources, Maori wards, Reo (language), Tamariki, and the right of me and you to be in this country under Te Tiriti.”
