A vote in New Zealand’s parliament was suspended and two lawmakers were ejected on Thursday when a ringing haka began – a rhythmic Māori chant of challenge – over a controversial bill redefining the country’s founding agreement between Indigenous Māori and the British Crown.

New Zealand's parliament descended into chaos during a vote over a controversial bill that proposed to dramatically change the way New Zealand's treaty between Maori and the crown is interpreted. MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke started the traditional group dance after she was asked how her party would vote.

New Zealand's Parliament was briefly suspended on Thursday after Maori members staged a haka to disrupt the vote on a contentious bill that would reinterpret a 184-year-old treaty between the British and Indigenous Maori.