New Zealand’s parliament was briefly suspended on Thursday after Maori members staged a haka to disrupt the vote on a contentious bill that would reinterpret a 184-year-old treaty between the British and Indigenous Maori.

Māori lawmakers have performed an emotive 'Haka' protest dance in opposition to a contentious race relations bill which has triggered nation-wide protests.

Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke of Te Pāti Māori stood and began a rhythmic Māori chant of challenge, which swelled to a roar as opposition lawmakers and spectators in the public gallery joined in.