For those who do not wish to wear a necktie, the news about making a necktie optional for the legislatures in New Zealand has come as a big relief. It all started after a member of New Zealand’s Parliament was expelled from the House for not wearing a tie.
The week in politics resembled nothing short of a playground sandpit, friends one minute becoming foes the next. Meanwhile, the Speaker flip-flops on neckties and Magic Talk continues its quest towards cancellation. What an incredible news week on social media! We unfriended Myanmar, Speaker Trevor Mallard blocked Māori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi, Sean Plunket muted himself from talkback radio, then Speaker Trevor Mallard unblocked Māori.
Titewhai Harawira, Jacinda Ardern and Judith Collins at a powhiri ahead of Waitangi day.
OPINION: A couple of weeks ago, following an unseemly bout of infantile intolerance over the use of te reo Māori at a Grey Power meeting, I asked in this column if we had become a little too sensitive about the differences between Māori and non-Māori social and cultural norms. It had been suggested, in a Grey Power newsletter, that Opotiki District councillor Louis Rapihana had insulted those at the meeting who did not understand what he said in a Māori karakia or prayer to open the meeting. The two parties to the dispute eventually agreed to have a polite discussion and settle their differences.
WELLINGTON - New Zealand male lawmakers are no longer required to wear a necktie in Parliament after the rule was dropped following a Maori MP's protest, calling a tie a "colonial noose". Speaker Trevor Mallard prevented Mr Rawiri Waititi from asking questions in the debating chamber on Tuesday (Feb 9) and eventually ordered him to leave for not wearing a.