New Zealand’s parliament was briefly paused as MPs performed a haka in protest of a contentious bill seeking to reinterpret the country’s founding treaty with Māori people.

Opposition MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke led the traditional group dance after being asked about her party’s stance on the bill, which faced its first vote on Thursday.

Meanwhile, a Māori rights group has organized a hīkoi—a peaceful protest march—against the bill, drawing thousands of participants on a 10-day journey that reached Auckland on Wednesday and is headed toward Wellington.

New Zealand, often seen as a leader in indigenous rights, faces backlash from opponents who fear the bill could undermine these rights. The bill, introduced by the Act party, aims to define the principles of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, which has been central to New Zealand’s race relations and integrated into its laws to address historic injustices against Māori.