Wellington: Indigenous Maori lawmakers disrupted New Zealand's parliament with a stirring "haka" dance, voicing opposition to a race relations bill that has ignited protests across the country. A contentious bid to reinterpret a centuries-old treaty between New Zealand's Maori and European settlers was set to be debated in parliament on Thursday.

The haka is not merely a dance; it is a powerful narrative of the Māori people's resilience, heritage, and connection to their ancestors. Each step and chant is a declaration of identity, making the haka a timeless bridge between the past and the present.