Chaos erupts in New Zealand Parliament as speaker ejects MPs and debates stall

In the closing week of New Zealand’s super-urgency sitting, the chamber fell into chaos, prompting Speaker Gerry Brownlee to eject multiple members for misconduct. The session began with a tribute to the late former NZ First MP Jim Peters before devolving into partisan theatrics, including NZ First’s short-lived filibuster of the India Free Trade Agreement and a confusing vote reversal. Notable expulsions included Labour MP Ginny Andersen, Act leader David Seymour, and National MP Chris Bishop, who was removed for heckling.

The Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill advanced amid a profanity dispute after Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara called the bill “bullcrap” and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer used a stronger expletive, leading to her removal. Māori language issues were raised when Minister Tama Potaka answered in te reo Māori, prompting further questioning by Willie Jackson. The tumult highlighted growing tensions among coalition partners and underscored the speaker’s claim that the House is more fractured than usual.