Rawiri Waititi

Waititi was born in Ōpōtiki, the eldest of four children. His birthday is 17 October.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.facebook.com/TeAoMaoriNews/videos/rob-ruha-sings-happy-birthday-to-rawiri-waititi/987943045035417/ |title=Rob Ruha sings Happy Birthday to Rawiri Waititi {{!}} #WATCHNOW Rob Ruha sings Happy Birthday to Māori Party candidate Rariwi Waititi during the election night party in Te Kaha. {{!}} By Te Ao Māori NewsFacebook |language=en |access-date=2024-05-31 |via=www.facebook.com}} He spent his first 12 years living in Whangaparāoa, in the eastern Bay of Plenty near Cape Runaway, and was schooled under the guidance of his kaumātua (elders) and his hapū, Te Whānau a Kauaetangohia. There he went to kōhanga reo and Te Kura Mana Māori o Whangaparāoa, before he moved to West Auckland when he was 13 to live with his paternal aunt, June Mariu, in Te Atatū North (now Te Atatū Peninsula). He did his secondary schooling at Rutherford High School (now Rutherford College) alongside another politician, Simon Bridges.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}}

Waititi is of the Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāi Tai, Te Whakatōhea, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa, Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Ranginui iwi, and also has "firm links" to Ngāti Porou.{{Cite web |last=Husband |first=Dale |date=26 September 2020 |title=Rawiri Waititi: Unapologetically Māori |url=https://e-tangata.co.nz/korero/rawiri-waititi-unapologetically-maori/ |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=E-Tangata |language=en-NZ}} He is a father of five{{cite web |title=Rawiri Waititi ~ Waiariki |url=https://www.maoriparty.org/rawiri_waititi |website=Māori Party |access-date=27 July 2020}} and husband to Kiri Tamihere-Waititi, the daughter of John Tamihere.{{cite web |last=Husband |first=Dale |title=Rawiri Waititi: Unapologetically Māori |url=https://e-tangata.co.nz/korero/rawiri-waititi-unapologetically-maori/ |website=E-Tangata |date=26 September 2020 |access-date=18 October 2020}} He is the grandnephew of Hoani Waititi.

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In the {{NZ election link|2014}}, Waititi ran for the Labour Party in Waiariki.{{cite news |last1=Shanks |first1=Katee |title=Election Profile: Rawiri Waititi |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503437&objectid=11323534 |access-date=27 July 2020 |department=Rotorua Daily Post |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=12 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727224523/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503437&objectid=11323534 |archive-date=27 July 2020}} As he was not placed on the Labour Party list, his only way to Parliament was to win Waiariki, however, he lost the seat of Waiariki to Māori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell.{{cite web |url=http://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2014/electorate-71.html |title=Official Count Results – Waiariki |date=10 October 2014 |access-date=24 January 2017 |publisher=Electoral Commission |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728071258/https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2014/electorate-71.html |archive-date=28 July 2020}}

In 2016, following Kīngi Tūheitia Paki's speech backing the Māori Party,{{cite news |last1=Forbes |first1=Mihingarangi |title=Māori King rejects Labour in unscripted speech closing |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/311515/maori-king-rejects-labour-in-unscripted-speech-closing |access-date=27 July 2020 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=21 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809194238/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/311515/maori-king-rejects-labour-in-unscripted-speech-closing |archive-date=9 August 2020}} Waititi announced he would be supporting the Māori Party.{{cite news |title=Former Labour candidate for Te Waiariki Rawiri Waititi on Paakiwaha |url=https://www.waateanews.com/waateanews/x_news/MTQ0OTk/Paakiwaha/Former-Labour-candidate-for-Te-Waiariki-Rawiri-Waititi-on-Paakiwaha?story_id=MTQ0OTk |access-date=27 July 2020 |work=Waatea News |date=1 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728001649/https://www.waateanews.com/waateanews/x_news/MTQ0OTk/Paakiwaha/Former-Labour-candidate-for-Te-Waiariki-Rawiri-Waititi-on-Paakiwaha?story_id=MTQ0OTk |archive-date=28 July 2020}}

On 23 February 2020, Waititi was announced as the Māori Party candidate for Waiariki for the {{NZ election link|2020}}. Following his nomination, Waititi said that there was "an imminent need, now more than ever that Māori have a voice who solely prioritises their aspirations and their needs and that is unapologetic about doing so. The Māori Party is the only party who can do that."{{cite press release |title=Waititi To Stand For Māori Party In Waiariki |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2002/S00189/waititi-to-stand-for-maori-party-in-waiariki.htm |website=Scoop |publisher=Māori Party |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223170510/https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2002/S00189/waititi-to-stand-for-maori-party-in-waiariki.htm |archive-date=23 February 2020}} He was endorsed by Te Kapa Haka o Te Whānau a Apanui.{{Cite web |title=Te Kapa Haka o Te Whānau a Apanui to get political |url=https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2023/02/25/te-kapa-haka-o-te-whanau-a-apanui-to-get-political/ |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=Te Ao Māori News |language=en}}

At the 2020 election, Waititi successfully unseated the Labour MP Tāmati Coffey, winning by 836 votes, and became the MP for Waiariki.{{cite web |date=6 November 2020 |title=Waiariki – Official Result |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/electorate-details-72.html |access-date=6 November 2020 |publisher=Electoral Commission}}

The final election results showed that the Māori Party had won 1.2% of the party vote, entitling them to two seats, so Waititi's electorate win meant not only his entry to Parliament, but also that of female co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.{{cite web |date=6 November 2020 |title=2020 General Election and Referendums – Official Result |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/ |access-date=6 November 2020 |website=Electoral Commission}}{{Cite news |date=6 November 2020 |title=Special votes: National loses two MPs, one each to Labour, Māori Party |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/430006/special-votes-national-loses-two-mps-one-each-to-labour-maori-party |access-date=6 November 2020 |work=Radio New Zealand |language=en-nz}} Of the forty-two new MPs elected to the 53rd Parliament,{{cite news |last1=Lynch |first1=Jenna |title=NZ Election 2020: Judith Collins will 'definitely not' stand down as leader despite National's crushing defeat |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/11/nz-election-2020-judith-collins-will-definitely-not-stand-down-as-leader-despite-national-s-crushing-defeat.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106055203/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/11/nz-election-2020-judith-collins-will-definitely-not-stand-down-as-leader-despite-national-s-crushing-defeat.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 November 2020 |access-date=16 November 2020 |work=Newshub |date=6 November 2020}} two are from the Māori Party.{{Cite news |work=The New Zealand Herald |title=Election 2020: The 40 diverse new MPs entering Parliament |url=https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/vote-2020/election-2020-the-forty-newcomers-entering-parliament/ |access-date=7 November 2020 |via=Newstalk ZB |date=18 October 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Lynch |first1=Jenna |title=NZ Election 2020: Judith Collins will 'definitely not' stand down as leader despite National's crushing defeat |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/11/nz-election-2020-judith-collins-will-definitely-not-stand-down-as-leader-despite-national-s-crushing-defeat.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106055203/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/11/nz-election-2020-judith-collins-will-definitely-not-stand-down-as-leader-despite-national-s-crushing-defeat.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 November 2020 |access-date=7 November 2020 |work=Newshub |date=6 November 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Moir |first1=Jo |title=Special votes: National loses two MPs, one each to Labour, Māori Party |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/election-2020/430006/special-votes-national-loses-two-mps-one-each-to-labour-maori-party |access-date=7 November 2020 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=6 November 2020}}

Under the Māori Party's constitution, its co-leaders must be drawn from its MPs first, with one male and one female co-leader.{{Cite web |date=12 October 2019 |title=Māori Party Constitution |url=https://elections.nz/assets/Party-rules/maori-party-rules-and-constitution-2019.pdf |access-date=27 October 2020}} At a special general meeting of the party on 28 October 2020, Waititi was confirmed as the male co-leader, replacing his father-in-law, John Tamihere.{{cite news |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/429357/maori-party-s-rawiri-waititi-replaces-john-tamihere-as-co-leader |title=Māori Party's Rawiri Waititi replaces John Tamihere as co-leader |work=Radio New Zealand |date=29 October 2020 |access-date=29 October 2020}}

Before being sworn in to the 53rd parliament, Waititi performed a waerea to protest being required to pledge allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II without reference to the Treaty of Waitangi.{{cite news |last=Wade |first=Amerlia |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/from-a-top-hat-to-an-oath-race-the-53rd-parliament-is-sworn-in/P4S3WQLB36AUXLZXGSVKLOO2LY/ |title=From a top hat to an oath race: The 53rd Parliament is sworn in |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=25 November 2020 |access-date=5 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202003120/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/from-a-top-hat-to-an-oath-race-the-53rd-parliament-is-sworn-in/P4S3WQLB36AUXLZXGSVKLOO2LY/ |archive-date=2 December 2020 |url-status=live}} On 26 November, Waititi and Ngarewa-Packer walked out of Parliament after the Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard declined his motion that the Māori Party be allowed to speak for 15 minutes during the opening on Parliament on the grounds that MPs from smaller parties were not scheduled to deliver their maiden speeches until the following week. Waititi described Mallard's decision and the parliamentary system as unfair.{{cite news |last1=Patterson |first1=Jane |title=Māori Party MPs walk out of Parliament in protest |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/431521/maori-party-mps-walk-out-of-parliament-in-protest |access-date=5 December 2020 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=26 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129230930/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/431521/maori-party-mps-walk-out-of-parliament-in-protest |archive-date=29 November 2020 |url-status=live}}

In late December 2020 and early January, Waititi participated in negotiations with 16 prisoners who were involved in unrest at Waikeria Prison stemming from allegations of inhumane and unhygienic conditions at the prison. Several of the prisoners had requested the presence of a Māori leader such as Waititi as a prerequisite to ending the unrest. He stated, "these men belong to whanau... that they deserve the right to be treated humanely, with fresh water, food and clean clothing and they deserve to have someone advocating for them."{{cite news |title=Waikeria Prison unrest: Protesters leave rooftop to meet Waititi |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/433870/waikeria-prison-unrest-protesters-leave-rooftop-to-meet-waititi |access-date=3 January 2021 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=31 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101162123/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/433870/waikeria-prison-unrest-protesters-leave-rooftop-to-meet-waititi |archive-date=1 January 2021 |url-status=live}} Following five days of unrest, the prisoners surrendered to the authorities following negotiations involving Waititi.{{cite news |title=Waikeria Prison surrender: Family members claim complaints about 'disgusting' conditions made, despite Corrections saying otherwise |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/123860610/waikeria-prison-surrender-family-members-claim-complaints-about-disgusting-conditions-made-despite-corrections-saying-otherwise |access-date=3 January 2021 |work=Stuff |date=3 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103052547/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/123860610/waikeria-prison-surrender-family-members-claim-complaints-about-disgusting-conditions-made-despite-corrections-saying-otherwise |archive-date=3 January 2021}}{{cite news |title=Waikeria Prison rioters surrender after six-day stand-off; jail conditions not reason for unrest, says Kelvin Davis |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/waikeria-prison-rioters-surrender-after-six-day-stand-off-jail-conditions-not-reason-for-unrest-says-kelvin-davis/SMSJNJXMH2MOQYU5SRQUUO5KOY/ |access-date=3 January 2021 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=3 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103042403/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/waikeria-prison-rioters-surrender-after-six-day-stand-off-jail-conditions-not-reason-for-unrest-says-kelvin-davis/SMSJNJXMH2MOQYU5SRQUUO5KOY/ |archive-date=3 January 2021}}

On 9 February, Waititi was ejected from Parliamentary proceedings by Speaker Mallard for refusing to wear a necktie in line with Parliament's business attire dress core. Waititi instead wore a hei tiki necktie, which he described as Māori business attire. Waititi had earlier criticised wearing neckties, describing them as "colonial noose[s]" during his maiden speech last year. When Waititi attempted to ask Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis a supplementary question, Mallard denied him permission to speak since he was not wearing a tie. When Waititi sought a point of order, Mallard ordered him to leave. Waititi was supported by fellow Māori Party MP Ngarewa-Packer, who wore a tie in mockery of the rules.{{cite news |last1=Cooke |first1=Henry |title=Māori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi kicked out of House for refusal to wear a tie |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300225643/mori-party-coleader-rawiri-waititi-kicked-out-of-house-for-refusal-to-wear-a-tie |access-date=9 February 2021 |work=Stuff |date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209095905/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300225643/mori-party-coleader-rawiri-waititi-kicked-out-of-house-for-refusal-to-wear-a-tie |archive-date=9 February 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Walls |first1=Jason |title=Māori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi enters Parliament without tie, is kicked out by Mallard |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/maori-party-co-leader-rawiri-waititi-enters-parliament-without-tie-is-kicked-out-by-mallard/DTX4KJIWICRTZTTDJ2X6B4MLUY/ |access-date=9 February 2021 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209100222/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/maori-party-co-leader-rawiri-waititi-enters-parliament-without-tie-is-kicked-out-by-mallard/DTX4KJIWICRTZTTDJ2X6B4MLUY/ |archive-date=9 February 2021 |url-status=live}} The following day, a Standing Orders meeting accepted a Māori Party submission proposing the elimination of neckties from Parliament's business attire. As a result, Mallard announced that it would no longer be compulsory to wear ties in Parliament.{{cite news |title=Ties now optional in Parliament after Rawiri Waititi booted out for not wearing one |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/ties-now-optional-in-parliament-after-rawiri-waititi-booted-out-for-not-wearing-one/NK3ERX5UY7BKW6IY7C3ZJS4RSQ/ |access-date=10 February 2021 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=10 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210105106/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/ties-now-optional-in-parliament-after-rawiri-waititi-booted-out-for-not-wearing-one/NK3ERX5UY7BKW6IY7C3ZJS4RSQ/ |archive-date=10 February 2021 |url-status=live}}

On 12 May, Waititi was ejected from parliamentary proceedings following a heated argument with the opposition National Party leader Judith Collins about the proposed creation of a Māori Health Authority. In the past two weeks, National had alleged the Labour Government was promoting a "separatist agenda" through the Māori Health Authority and other policies seeking to fulfil partnership responsibilities under the Treaty of Waitangi. Waititi accused Collins of racism and sought to raise a point of order about indigenous rights. When his point of order was denied by the Speaker Mallard, Waititi performed a haka in protest, prompting the Speaker to order him to leave Parliament. Waititi left with Māori Party co-leader Ngarewa-Packer and Green MP Teanau Tuiono, who expressed solidarity with him.{{cite news |last1=Manch |first1=Thomas |last2=Cooke |first2=Henry |title=Māori Party's Rāwiri Waititi ejected from House for haka protest against National's 'racist propaganda' |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/125108556/mori-partys-rwiri-waititi-ejected-from-house-for-haka-protest-against-nationals-racist-propaganda |access-date=13 May 2021 |work=Stuff |date=12 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513061538/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/125108556/mori-partys-rwiri-waititi-ejected-from-house-for-haka-protest-against-nationals-racist-propaganda |archive-date=13 May 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=McClure |first1=Tess |title=Māori party co-leader ejected from parliament after performing haka in racism row |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/12/maori-party-co-leader-ejected-parliament-racism-row-haka |access-date=13 May 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=13 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513041405/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/12/maori-party-co-leader-ejected-parliament-racism-row-haka |archive-date=13 May 2021 |url-status=live}}

In October 2021, Waititi criticised the Government's abandonment of its previous COVID-19 elimination strategy and expressed concerns that the new COVID-19 Protection Framework was insufficient in protecting Māori and boosting the Māori vaccination rate.{{cite news |title=Covid-19 Delta outbreak: Government can't afford to rule out level 4 return – modeller Shaun Hendy |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-delta-outbreak-government-cant-afford-to-rule-out-level-4-return-modeller-shaun-hendy/VAQVILVRVMQ4EHDZEFQ62O7TGU/ |access-date=28 June 2022 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=18 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018225756/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-delta-outbreak-government-cant-afford-to-rule-out-level-4-return-modeller-shaun-hendy/VAQVILVRVMQ4EHDZEFQ62O7TGU/ |archive-date=18 October 2021 |url-status=live}}

In September 2022, Waititi and fellow Māori Party MP Ngarewa-Packer voted against the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day Act 2022, which created a once-off public holiday on 26 September to commemorate the death of Elizabeth II. Waititi objected to the holiday on the grounds that no similar event had taken place for any deceased Māori leaders and claimed it was "example of colonialism in practice". Waititi further stated after a week of avoiding commenting on republicanism that New Zealand "must acknowledge the brutal genocidal and ongoing impact of colonialism, of the imperial project that was overseen by the House of Windsor and its forebears". Waititi's remarks were criticised as insensitive and disrespectful by National Party MPs Michael Woodhouse and Judith Collins.{{cite news |last1=McConnell |first1=Glenn |title=Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day is official – but not without controversy |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/129946721/queen-elizabeth-ii-memorial-day-is-official--but-not-without-controversy |access-date=21 September 2022 |work=Stuff |date=21 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921104759/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/129946721/queen-elizabeth-ii-memorial-day-is-official--but-not-without-controversy |archive-date=21 September 2022 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Neilson |first1=Michael |title=Queen Elizabeth death: Parliament to rush through bill to create public holiday |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/queen-elizabeth-death-parliament-to-rush-through-bill-to-create-public-holiday/L6JZMXWVKUJN5BTTDUF24YCE2U/ |access-date=21 September 2022 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=21 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921104924/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/queen-elizabeth-death-parliament-to-rush-through-bill-to-create-public-holiday/L6JZMXWVKUJN5BTTDUF24YCE2U/ |archive-date=21 September 2022 |url-status=live}}

In May 2023, Waititi and Ngarewa-Packer were ordered to leave Parliament by Speaker Adrian Rurawhe after they staged a haka (dance) to welcome former Labour MP Meka Whaitiri. The Māori Party caucus had not sought permission from the Speaker or other parties to hold the haka.{{cite news |last1=Palmer |first1=Russell |title=Whaitiri decries 'censure' after Te Pāti Māori leaders ejected from Parliament |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/489570/whaitiri-decries-censure-after-te-pati-maori-leaders-ejected-from-parliament |access-date=11 May 2023 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=9 May 2023}}{{cite news |title=Speaker blunts celebration of Meka defection |url=https://waateanews.com/2023/05/10/speaker-blunts-celebration-of-meka-defection/ |access-date=11 May 2023 |work=Waatea News.com |publisher=Waatea News |date=10 May 2023}}

In mid July 2023, Waititi joked about poisoning ACT Party leader David Seymour during Te Pati Māori's annual conference. While referring to the karaka seedpod necklace around his neck, Waititi said: "These are karaka berries and they've still got the poison in them. So next time I go into Parliament this is what I'm going to do. When David Seymour's not looking, I'm going to go like this into his water... There you are, re-indigenise yourself with some native seeds." Waititi's remarks were condemned by Seymour, who demanded an apology.{{cite news |last1=Trevett |first1=Claire |title=Act leader David Seymour says Māori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi's joke a step too far |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/act-leader-david-seymour-says-maori-party-co-leader-rawiri-waititis-joke-a-step-too-far/IHO7PK6G4CTJ27NLXYL3MJ2SI4/ |access-date=30 August 2023 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=13 July 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Manch |first1=Thomas |title=ACT Party leader David Seymour wants apology over Māori Party joke |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/129271002/act-party-leader-david-seymour-wants-apology-over-mori-party-joke |access-date=30 August 2023 |work=Stuff |date=14 July 2023}}

On 29 August 2023, Waititi was suspended from Parliament for 24 hours after referring to suppressed court proceedings while asking a question during parliamentary proceedings. Though Waititi asked the question under parliamentary privilege, his reference to the court proceedings breached two parliamentary Standing Orders. In addition, Speaker Rurawhe referred a "general question" of breaching court suppressions to Parliament's Privileges Committee.{{cite news |last1=Palmer |first1=Russell |title=Rawiri Waititi suspended from Parliament over comments |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/496813/rawiri-waititi-suspended-from-parliament-over-comments |access-date=30 August 2023 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=29 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829085027/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/496813/rawiri-waititi-suspended-from-parliament-over-comments |archive-date=29 August 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Rawiri Waititi suspended from Parliament for 24hrs over comments |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/08/29/rawiri-waititi-suspended-from-parliament-for-24-hours/ |access-date=30 August 2023 |work=1News |publisher=TVNZ |date=29 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211003502/https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/08/29/rawiri-waititi-suspended-from-parliament-for-24-hours/ |archive-date=11 February 2024 |url-status=live}} As punishment, Waititi was barred from voting, sitting on a committee or entering the debating chamber for 24 hours. On 28 August 2024, Parliament's Privileges Committee chairperson Judith Collins upheld Speaker Rurawhe's disciplinary action against Waititi for breaching the court suppression order, stating "that free speech came with a responsibility not to frustrate the court's jurisdiction."{{cite news |last1=McCulloch |first1=Craig |title=Te Pāti Māori 'more aware and respectful' of Parliament's relationship with courts |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/526539/te-pati-maori-more-aware-and-respectful-of-parliament-s-relationship-with-courts |access-date=1 September 2024 |work=RNZ |date=29 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829134807/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/526539/te-pati-maori-more-aware-and-respectful-of-parliament-s-relationship-with-courts |archive-date=29 August 2024 |url-status=live}}

During an interview with TVNZ journalist Jack Tame 10 September 2023, Waititi advocated a wealth tax and removing GST from food, defended Te Aka Whai Ora (the Māori Health Authority), and advocated a policy of neutrality.{{cite news |title=Q + A with Jack Tame – Rawiri Waiti: Maori health, Te Tiriti, and Parliament suspension |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/q-and-a/clips/rawiri-waititi-m-ori-health-te-tiriti-and-parliament-suspension |access-date=26 March 2024 |work=TVNZ |date=10 September 2023}} Waititi also denied that his party's sports policy' comments about "Māori genetic makeup being stronger than others" were racist. These comments were subsequently deleted from Te Pāti Māori's website. When challenged by Tame, he said that Te Pāti Māori was "trying to empower people that are climbing out from the bottom of the bonnet of colonial violence for the last 193 years" by encouraging pride in their heritage.{{cite web |last1=Lynch |first1=Chris |title=Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi defends deleted racist comments |url=https://www.chrislynchmedia.com/news-items/te-pti-mori-co-leader-rawiri-waititi-defends-deleted-racist-comments |publisher=Chris Lynch Media |access-date=26 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028042338/https://www.chrislynchmedia.com/news-items/te-pti-mori-co-leader-rawiri-waititi-defends-deleted-racist-comments |archive-date=28 October 2023 |date=10 September 2023 |url-status=live}}

In the 2023 general election, Waititi again contested the Waiariki electorate. He received 21,500 votes out of 28,958 for an outright majority.{{Cite web |last=McConnell |first=Glenn |date=16 October 2023 |title=Labour stunned as Te Pāti Māori pulls off major coup. How did they win so many seats? |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/133124676/labour-stunned-as-te-pti-mori-pulls-off-major-coup-how-did-they-win-so-many-seats |access-date=18 October 2023 |work=Stuff |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Waiariki – Official Result |url=https://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-details-72.html |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=26 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122030023/https://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/successful-candidates.html |archive-date=22 November 2023 |date=3 November 2023 |url-status=live}} Waititi performed a haka in the chamber prior to swearing his oath of allegiance to King Charles III.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-67622272 |title=Maori MP performs haka before swearing oath to King |work=BBC News}}

In mid-December 2023, Waititi retained his position as Te Pāti Māori co-leader and joined Parliament's finance & expenditure select committee. He also became the party's finance, economic development, trade & enterprise, revenue, procurement, defence, foreign affairs, intelligence, Māori performance arts, and arts, culture & heritage spokesperson.{{cite web |title=Te Pāti Māori Portfolios List |url=https://waateanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/TPM-Portfolios-List.pdf |publisher=Waatea News |access-date=23 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223095606/https://waateanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/TPM-Portfolios-List.pdf |archive-date=23 February 2024 |date=14 December 2023 |url-status=live}}

In mid-March 2023, Waititi introduced a member's bill to amend the Goods and Services Tax Act to remove the Goods and Services Tax from all food products and non-alcohol products.{{cite news |last1=Mathias |first1=Shanti |title=Rawiri Waititi's member's bill to remove GST from food, explained |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/kai/20-03-2024/rawiri-waititis-members-bill-to-remove-gst-from-food-explained |access-date=26 March 2024 |work=The Spinoff |date=20 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326122202/https://thespinoff.co.nz/kai/20-03-2024/rawiri-waititis-members-bill-to-remove-gst-from-food-explained |archive-date=26 March 2024 |url-status=live}} The bill was defeated at its first reading on 22 March 2024, with only Te Pāti Māori supporting it.{{cite news |last1=Perese |first1=Daniel |title=Why was Rawiri Waititi's bill removing GST from Kai given the chop? |url=https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2024/03/22/why-was-rawiri-waititis-bill-removing-gst-from-kai-given-the-chop/ |access-date=26 March 2024 |work=Te Ao Māori News |publisher=Whakaata Māori |date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326123702/https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2024/03/22/why-was-rawiri-waititis-bill-removing-gst-from-kai-given-the-chop/ |archive-date=26 March 2024 |url-status=live}}

On 14 November 2024, Waititi along with Ngarewa-Packer and Labour MP Peeni Henare joined fellow Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke in performing an impromptu protest haka, which disrupted parliamentary proceedings during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill. On 10 December, Waititi and the other three MPs were referred to Parliament's Privileges Committee for their involvement in the haka.{{cite news |last1=McConnell |first1=Glenn |title=‘Do I care? No’: Te Pāti Māori responds to Speaker’s rebuke over haka |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360517484/te-pati-maori-and-labour-mps-referred-privileges-committee-over-haka |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=Stuff |date=10 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213013738/https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360517484/te-pati-maori-and-labour-mps-referred-privileges-committee-over-haka |archive-date=13 December 2024 |url-status=live}}

On 1 April 2025, Waititi, Ngarewa-Packer and Maipi-Clark declined to appear before the Privileges Committee, claiming they had been denied key legal rights such as a joint hearing, restrictions on their legal representation Christopher Finlayson, expert testimony from tikanga (Māori culture) expert Tā Pou Temara denied, hearing scheduling conflicts being ignored and concerns about disciplinary action against Maipi-Clarke.{{cite news |last1=Natanahira |first1=Tuwhenuaroa |last2=Bailey-McDowell |first2=Layla |last3=Hanly |first3=Lillian |title=Te Pāti Māori MPs refuse to attend Parliament's Privileges Committee hearing over haka protest |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/556841/te-pati-maori-mps-refuse-to-attend-parliament-s-privileges-committee-hearing-over-haka-protest |access-date=3 April 2025 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=1 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401033505/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/556841/te-pati-maori-mps-refuse-to-attend-parliament-s-privileges-committee-hearing-over-haka-protest |archive-date=1 April 2025|url-status=live}} On 2 April, the Privileges Committee's chairperson Judith Collins confirmed that the privileges hearing would go ahead regardless of whether the three TPM MPs turned up.{{cite news |last1=Hanly |first1=Lillian |title=Privileges Committee hearing to go ahead without Te Pāti Māori MPs |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/556962/privileges-committee-hearing-to-go-ahead-without-te-pati-maori-mps |access-date=3 April 2025 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=2 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403043953/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/556962/privileges-committee-hearing-to-go-ahead-without-te-pati-maori-mps |archive-date=3 April 2025}} In response, Waititi and Ngarewa-Packer announced that Te Pāti Māori would boycott the hearing and hold its own "alternative independent hearing," dismissing the Privileges Committee as a "kangaroo court."{{cite news |last1=Hanly |first1=Lillian |title=Te Pāti Māori to hold own hearing after boycotting Privileges Committee |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/556984/te-pati-maori-to-hold-own-hearing-after-boycotting-privileges-committee |access-date=3 April 2025 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=3 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403044403/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/556984/te-pati-maori-to-hold-own-hearing-after-boycotting-privileges-committee |archive-date=3 April 2025}}

On 14 May 2025, the Privileges Committee censured Waititi and his colleagues for "acting in a manner that could have the effect of intimidating a member of the House in the discharge of their duty" during the haka protest. He and Ngarewa-Packer were suspended from Parliament for 21 days while Maipi-Clark was suspended for a week. Te Pāti Māori issued a statement denouncing the verdict as "the worst punishment handed down ever in our history."{{cite news |last1=Burr |first1=Lloyd |title=Te Pati Maori receive 'harshest punishment Privileges Committee's ever handed out' |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360689225/te-pati-maori-receive-harshest-punishment-privileges-committees-ever-handed-out |access-date=14 May 2025 |work=Stuff |date=14 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514095014/https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360689225/te-pati-maori-receive-harshest-punishment-privileges-committees-ever-handed-out |archive-date=14 May 2025 |url-status=live}} On 20 May 2025, Parliament adopted Leader of the House Chris Bishop's motion that the parliamentary debate on the TPM MPs' suspension be delayed until 5 June, allowing them to participate in the budget debate on 22 May.{{cite news |last1=Gabel |first1=Julia |last2=Pearse |first2=Adam |last3=Ensor |first3=Jamie |title=Debate on Te Pāti Māori haka punishment delayed in shock Government move |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/uncertainty-remains-as-politicians-plan-for-lengthy-debate-over-te-pati-maori-punishment/Z3OE2XWDP5H23G6SSO4AE5BG7A/ |access-date=31 May 2025 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=20 May 2025}} On 5 June, parliament voted to suspend Maipi-Clark, Ngarewa-Packer and Waititi for 21 days.{{cite news |title=Three Maori MPs suspended over 'intimidating' haka |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yg9k8x8pwo |access-date=5 June 2025 |work=BBC |date=5 June 2025}}

A RNZ-Reid Research poll found that, a majority supported the punishment or thought it should be stronger. 37.0% said it was "about right"; 17.2% said it was "too lenient", and 36.2% said it was "too harsh".{{Cite news |date= |title=More than half of voters back proposed penalty for Te Pāti Māori MPs, poll suggests

|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/563111/more-than-half-of-voters-back-proposed-penalty-for-te-pati-maori-mps-poll-suggests|access-date= |work=}}

Waititi voted in favour of the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion (Safe Areas) Amendment Act 2022, which established safe zones around abortion providers.{{cite web |title=Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion (Safe Areas) Amendment Bill — Third Reading |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20220316_20220316_36 |publisher=New Zealand Parliament |access-date=28 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317001313/https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20220316_20220316_36 |archive-date=17 March 2022 |date=16 March 2022 |url-status=live}}

Waititi has supported the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act 2022, which banned conversion therapy. During the Bill's first reading in August 2022, he claimed that conversion therapy was based on European colonial ideas about gender and sexuality that were alien to Māori people.{{cite web |title=Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill — First Reading |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20210805_20210805_30 |publisher=New Zealand Parliament |access-date=28 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805125414/https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20210805_20210805_30 |archive-date=5 August 2021 |date=5 August 2021 |url-status=live}}

In March 2022, Waititi supported the Russia Sanctions Act 2022, which created an autonomous sanctions regime in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. While condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he also questioned New Zealand's failure to condemn the United States' invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and the Israeli occupation of Palestine.{{cite web |title=Russia Sanctions Bill — First Reading |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20220309_20220309_24 |publisher=New Zealand Parliament |access-date=28 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309225943/https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20220309_20220309_24 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |date=9 March 2022 |url-status=live}}

He later called the conflict a "proxy war for the United States", stating that New Zealand should stay out of the conflict.{{Cite web |date=23 September 2022 |title=Waititi wants out of Ukraine ‘proxy’ war |url=https://waateanews.com/2022/09/23/waititi-wans-out-of-ukraine-proxy-war/ |website=Waatea News}} He said that New Zealand was acting like a puppet state of the United States, a statement that saw disagreement from then Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and other political leaders across the aisle.{{Cite web |last=Ensor |first=Jamie |date=22 November 2022 |title=Ukraine invasion: Jacinda Ardern, National, ACT disagree with Rawiri Waititi calling New Zealand 'puppet' of United States |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350502444/ukraine-invasion-jacinda-ardern-national-act-disagree-with-rawiri-waititi-calling-new-zealand-puppet-of-united-states |website=Stuff}} He supported a position of neutrality.{{Cite web |last=LaHatte |first=Deborah |date=15 August 2022 |title=Fight for Māori world view here but stay out of Ukraine – Waititi |url=https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2022/08/15/fight-for-maori-world-view-here-but-stay-out-of-ukraine-waititi/ |website=Te Ao Māori News}} In a Facebook post on 21 March 2023, he stated that New Zealand should be the "Switzerland of the South Pacific", saying (in reference to the conflict) that Māori should not fight "other indigenous peoples on their whenua."{{Cite web |last=Waititi |first=Rawiri |date=21 March 2023 |title="I hope this is not true because heads should roll!" |url=https://www.facebook.com/RawiriWaititiMP/posts/i-hope-this-is-not-true-because-heads-should-roll-praying-that-kane-te-tai-is-al/664304465500256/ |website=Facebook}}

In February 2024, Waititi has advocated for Māori self-governance, stating that Māori have a right to govern themselves. He has also called for the establishment of a Māori Parliament.{{cite news |last1=Pearse |first1=Adam |last2=Wilson |first2=Simon |title=Rawiri Waititi calls for Maori Parliament amid Ratana's teasing of Winston Peters and Shane Jones |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/te-pati-maori-co-leaders-are-set-to-speak-ahead-of-their-powhiri-on-to-the-waitangi-treaty-grounds/4KMNUEGIBJGCNK2A65BM32PJOE/ |access-date=27 March 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=4 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212143338/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/te-pati-maori-co-leaders-are-set-to-speak-ahead-of-their-powhiri-on-to-the-waitangi-treaty-grounds/4KMNUEGIBJGCNK2A65BM32PJOE/ |archive-date=12 February 2024 |url-status=live}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.maoriparty.org.nz/rawiri_waititi Māori Party profile]
• [https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/waititi-rawiri/ Profile at New Zealand Parliament website]

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{{Māori Party}}

{{Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives}}

{{New Zealand political party leaders}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Waititi, Rawiri}}

Category:1980s births

Category:Living people

Category:Te Pāti Māori MPs

Category:New Zealand MPs for Māori electorates

Category:Ngāti Ranginui people

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Category:Ngāti Tūwharetoa people

Category:Ngāi Te Rangi people

Category:People from Ōpōtiki

Category:Te Pāti Māori co-leaders

Rawiri

Category:Candidates in the 2020 New Zealand general election

Category:Candidates in the 2023 New Zealand general election

Category:Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives