A historic and spontaneous Haka performance halted proceedings in Parliament today as a Maori MP delivered their maiden speech. The traditional Maori dance, performed to honor achievements and express collective strength, resonated throughout the chamber, surprising fellow lawmakers and spectators. The moment highlights the importance of indigenous culture in New Zealand’s political sphere, and demonstrates how tradition and modern governance can intersect in powerful ways. Watch the full speech

In a first-of-its-kind indigenous encounter, a Maori kapa haka delegation from Aotearoa, New Zealand, performed the haka (dance) at the Medaram Sammakka-Saralamma tribal shrine in Mulugu district, while local Koya tribal cultural teams also held their regular performances. The historic performance, coinciding with the 77th Republic Day, added profound symbolic significance to the celebrations, highlighting the shared traditions of resilience, honour and ancestral pride, though the two countries