New Zealand's youngest MP Maipi-Clarke performs Maori Haka in Parliament, video goes viral

Wellington/IBNS: A 21-year-old MP in New Zealand has created ripples on social media with her maiden parliamentary address in which she performed 'Maori Haka', a traditional war-dance of the Maori people in the country.

IBNS • 9 Jan 2024, 11:52 am

Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, 21, is the youngest MP in New Zealand in 170 years.

Performing her dance, she pledged, "I will die for you... but I will also live for you."

In the speech, the MP attacked the coalition government in power claiming it had "attacked my whole world from every corner".

She has high self-confidence!

New Zealand's youngest MP started with her cultural performance, "Māori Haka ", before giving her speech. pic.twitter.com/AVcxwwWw4N
— Figen (@TheFigen_) January 6, 2024

Who is Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke?

Maipi-Clarke is the daughter of broadcaster Potaka Mairi and grand-niece of Maori language activist Hana Te Hemar.

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During Te Wiki o te Reo Maori (a government-sponsored initiative to promote Maori language use) in 2022, Maipi-Clarke delivered a speech on the steps of Parliament.

Though many political parties wanted her to join them, Maipi-Clarke was under consideration by Te Pati Maori.

In the 2023 General Elections, Maipi-Clarke defeated Labour Party MP Nanaia Mahuta by 2,911 votes.