Parliament speaker Gerry Brownlee. (File photo) Photo: VNP/Phil Smith
Te Pati Māori has again attracted the ire of Parliament's Speaker Gerry Brownlee by burning a copy of a government bill outside the front of Parliament.
In a statement to RNZ, Brownlee said he was "taking advice" after becoming aware of the behaviour late last night.
"It is the dumbest thing you could possibly do," Brownlee said. "It is highly arrogant and unacceptably irresponsible."
Te Pati Māori last night shared a video on social media of co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and MP Tākuta Ferris setting fire to a copy of the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) (Customary Marine Title) Amendment Bill.
Addressing the camera, Ferris said they were supporting the "Burn the Bill" movement which saw protesters gather on beaches around the country to burn the legislations.
The video shows Ngarewa-Packer saying, "Hurry up before we get arrested," before Ferris ignites the paper in a bucket marked rāpihi [rubbish].
"We send this bill into the hand of Mahuika [the goddess of fire]," Ferris said in te reo.
RNZ contacted Te Pati Māori for comment.
Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, Ngarewa-Packer did not resile from her action, saying she was standing in solidarity with those opposed to the legislation.
"We're not here to please the Speaker," Ngarewa-Packer told the Herald.
The bill - which tightens the legal test for Māori to gain customary marine title - passed its third and final reading in Parliament Tuesday night.
In a post on social media, the official NZ First account described the Māori Party as "a bunch of school kid radical protestors".
"They even joke about being arrested," the message said. "They are flipping the bird at the Speaker and to the rules of the very institution that has allowed them the representation they purport to be fighting for.
"Instead of lighting things on fire, maybe they should turn up to Parliament more often and add to the debate."
In a statement, the Free Speech Union cautioned against "any punitive or political overreaction" to the MPs' actions.
"Freedom of expression applies to everyone, government, opposition, and crossbench alike," chief executive Jillaine Heather said.
Brownlee last week announced his intention to crack down on standards in Parliament after new Te Pati Māori MP Oriini Kaipara delivered a maiden speech which went well over time and was followed by an unsanctioned haka.
He described the events as disorderly and "contemptuous".
"After nearly two years in this role, it's now regrettably clear that some elected to this House see disruption and dissent as more important than legislative achievement.
"I respect that all members of this House are equally elected, but I think they equally have responsibility to uphold the dignity of the House."
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