Parliament has been temporarily suspended after a haka broke out in the public gallery following Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara's maiden speech.
Her speech was followed by a waiata across Parliament, including those in the public gallery. As it came to a close, one man launched into a haka and was then joined by others in gallery.
Speaker Gerry Brownlee interrupted: "No, not that. The guarantee was that would not be taking place".
As the haka continued, Brownlee remained on his feet and then declared the House suspended.
Oriini Kaipara's speech was followed by a waiata across Parliament, including those in the public gallery. Photo: Parliament TV
When the House resumed, Speaker Brownlee said he intended to investigate whether anyone had prior knowledge the haka would take place.
"The time the House allocates for anyone to speak in here is by agreement, and when we have people coming into the House who decide they're not going to abide by their agreements then they put themselves in a contemptuous position."
He said the behaviour in the public gallery was contemptuous.
"It is my intention over the next couple of days to find out whether or not that was by agreement with any party inside this House."
Brownlee said the protocol of the House was based on agreement.
"For people to decide they're not going to participate in that process, then they put themselves very firmly in contempt of Parliament."
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