Ties dropped as requirement in Parliament's Debating Chamber

February 10, 2021

Māori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi was previously kicked out of Parliament for refusing to wear what he called a “colonial noose”. (Source: Other)

Ties are being dropped as a requirement from Parliament's Debating Chamber, the House Speaker has announced tonight.

It comes after a meeting of the Standing Orders committee was held today to discuss the issue and hear a submission from Te Paati Māori, House Speaker Trevor Mallard said in a statement.

"The committee did not reach a consensus but the majority of the committee was in favour of removing the requirement for ties to form part of ‘appropriate business attire’ for males," he said.

"As Speaker, I am guided by the committee’s discussion, and therefore ties will no longer be considered required as part of 'appropriate business attire.'"

Māori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi was booted from the Chamber yesterday over his continual refusal to wear a tie. 

In December, Waititi was told he would not be allowed to speak in Parliament again until he wore a tie, something he referred to as a "colonial noose".

Waititi was allowed to speak in the Chamber today following a temporary truce with Mallard. 

"It seems like we've got a progressive Parliament that looks at cultural freedoms to allow them, their cultural identity to be expressed in this particular space," Waititi said earlier today. 

A meeting tonight will discuss whether the rules need to change after yesterday’s clash between Rawiri Waititi and Speaker Trevor Mallard. (Source: Other)

It follows Mallard's announcement last Monday that jackets and ties would remain a staple for male MPs in the Chamber following a review in November.

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