Jason Momoa protests controversial bill opposed by the Maori

Hawaiian actor Jason Momoa has shown his support for the Māori in New Zealand and encouraged his nearly 17 million Instagram followers to sign a petition opposing a controversial Treaty Principles Bill.

Momoa’s post is of a video, which has gone viral across social media and been shared across global news, depicting Māori Member of Parliament Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke tearing a copy of the Treaty Principles Bill and initiating a haka to disrupt the vote. Other MPs and supporters soon joined Maipi-Clarke, who is currently New Zealand’s youngest MP at 22-years-old.

The haka is a traditional Māori dance of synchronized movements, facial expressions and chanting to demonstrate physical strength as well as cultural pride and unity, according to ET Now.

The haka protested the bill which aims to reinterpret New Zealand’s founding treaty between the Māori people and the British Crown, per BBC. Over time, the treaty’s values have been integrated into the country’s laws to rectify the colonization of Māori land; New Zealand has been looked to as a leader in indigenous rights.

“(The Māori) are fighting for their rights, their culture, and their coming generations,” Momoa wrote. “Our Māori cousins have given us so much, from some of the best Pasifika films and actors to overwhelming support on our own ‘āina at Mauna Kea. Let’s return the favor.”

The Hollywood star was also in New Zealand earlier this month filming a new action movie, The Wrecking Crew.

The petition has garnered over 206,000 signatures so far. An update on the petition states the signatures will be handed over to Parliament.

While it passed on the first vote, the bill is not expected to pass on the second, as other parties have expressed they will not support it.

AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc.

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