New Zealand’s parliament backed down on Wednesday after expelling a Maori lawmaker because he refused to wear a tie, allowing him to speak without an accessory he labeled a “colonial tie”. The issue exploded on Tuesday when Maori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi was expelled from the parliamentary debate chamber for not wearing the required attire during question time.
Waititi, who has a “te moko” tattoo on her face and wears a black cowboy hat, argued that she was wearing legitimate Maori dress – a traditional pendant.
“It’s not about ties, it’s about cultural identity,” he said as he left.
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Maori Indians make up about 15% of New Zealand’s five million inhabitants, but are overrepresented in statistics like poverty and prison, with many guilt injustices dating back to the days of British colonial rule.
Waititi said the dispute shows that race relations still need to improve in the South Pacific country.
“This is a violation of the rights of indigenous peoples, we (must) be free to express our cultural identity in a space like this,” he said.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern he said he had no objection to the fact that lawmakers did not wear a tie, but added that “there are much more important issues for all of us”.
After strictly enforcing the dress code on Tuesday, Parliament Speaker Trevor Mallard took a more relaxed approach when a Waititi without a tie spoke on Wednesday.
Instead of expelling the Maori leader, Mallard simply let him ask a question without hindrance, later saying that a permanent change in the rules was being considered.
Waititi was elected to parliament for the first time last year and in his inaugural speech he told the story of an ancestor who was unjustly hanged by the British for murder.
“I will adorn myself with the treasures of my ancestors and remove the colonial tie around my neck so that I can sing my song,” he said as he removed his tie.