‘It’s not about ties – it’s about cultural identity’
Māori party co-leader Rawiri Waititi was denied the opportunity to speak in parliament – and subsequently ejected from the chamber – after defying a rule ordering male MPs to wear a necktie.
The expulsion, however, led to parliament revising the dress code. As such, ties will no longer be part of the “appropriate business attire” required of male MPs.
Earlier this week, tension broke out when Waititi attempted to raise a question in parliament twice. However, in both instances, he was prohibited by the speaker Trevor Mallard who insisted only MPs wearing the proper attire could have the floor.
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The Māori leader explained he was wearing a “Māori business attire” that replaced the necktie with a traditional necklace and greenstone pendant called pounamu. The MP had previously called the tie a “colonial noose”.
Mallard, however, refused to give Waititi a chance to speak because Waititi had purportedly violated the dress code. Waititi continued with his inquiry until he was ordered to leave the chamber.
“It’s not about ties – it’s about cultural identity, mate,” Waititi said as he left parliament.
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, co-leader of the Māori party, who herself was wearing a tie, attempted to persuade parliament to let Waititi continue but was unable to stop his dismissal from the chamber.
Both Waititi and Ngarewa-Packer emailed Mallard, clarifying their views on the matter, before re-joining the session on Wednesday.
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“Any action to not give Māori equality of rights in the House to adorn themselves with their cultural positions, must be seen to be discriminatory, unfair, unjust and unequal,” they wrote.
Mallard on Wednesday said the Standing Orders committee have chosen to scrap the rule on ties.
“The committee did not reach a consensus but the majority of the committee was in favour of removing the requirement for ties to form part of ‘appropriate business attire’ for males,” he said.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she had no objection to MPs refusing to wear a tie, but pointed out parliament had bigger issues to address. “I don’t think New Zealanders care about ties,” she said.
