parliament

Download Status

A New Zealand MP made a powerful speech in Maori language for her first appearance in parliament, resurfaced video shows.

Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, 21, first spoke in parliament on 12 December, performing a traditional haka.

She is the youngest MP to be elected to New Zealand’s parliament in 170 years, after James Stuart-Wortley, who was elected in 1853 aged 20 years and 7 months.

Maipi-Clarke was emotional in the chamber as she said: “We have arrived. We are here. We are sailing. We are navigating, just like our ancestors once did, in the biggest ocean in the world.”

Watch more on Independent TV:

Click here to subscribe to The Independent:

About The Independent:
Making Change Happen. The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded.

Connect with The Independent:
Check out our full video catalog:
Videos, daily editorial and more:
Click here to get the best of The Independent daily:
Like The Independent on Facebook:
Follow The Independent on Twitter:
Follow The Independent on Instagram:
Download the iOS & Android app:

Help to support truly independent journalism. Every dollar you contribute will directly fund additional special reports and investigations from a free-thinking, award-winning newsroom you can trust –

Subscribe to Independent Premium for exclusive content & live events: