The government of Aotearoa - New Zealand has delayed a vote on suspending three Te Pāti Māori (Māori Party) MPs for performing a haka in parliament during the first reading of the controversial Treaty Principles Bill.
The vote, scheduled for Tuesday, was delayed in the lead up to New Zealand's Budget announcement planned for Thursday.
Last week, the Parliamentary Privileges Committee recommended temporary suspensions from the house of 21 days for party co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngārewa-Packer, and seven days for Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke for their haka protesting the bill in November.
The bill, which was voted down in April, and originally introduced by ACT leader David Seymour, had controversially proposed to redefine the principles of the Treaty of Waitagni.
The Treaty is Aotearoa's founding document, signed in 1840 by Maori chiefs and British Crown representatives.
Large protests around the country were held in response to the bill.
In November, Ms Maipi-Clarke rose during the first reading, tearing up the bill and was joined by her party leaders in performing a haka in Parliament.
It was moved the MPs would be suspensed for "acting in a matter that could have the effect of intimidating a member of the House".
"This is the most severe punishment handed down in our history. The worst on record was three days," Te Pāti Māori said in a statement on May 14.
Protests gathered outside parliament with a vote on the suspension expected to take place on Tuesday, before it was delayed.
Debate has been adjourned until June.
Mr Waititi said the decision "makes me feel like I'm on remand".
Ms Maipi-Clarke said: "It was unruly, it was dishonourable and it was disorderly to bring in a bill like the Treaty Principles Bill. The problem is not our response to the problem."
Had the MPs been suspended from the house, they would not have been able to take part in this week's budget - a matter considered in the delay.
"The Budget is the central Parliamentary event of the year, which gives the House the chance to debate and then either endorse or reject the Government's spending plans," Leader of the House Chris Bishop said in a statement after the motion passed, the New Zealand Herald reports.
"Constitutionally, there is nothing more important than the Budget process, which gives the House the opportunity to express confidence in the Government. Deferring consideration of the debate means all members will have the opportunity to debate and vote on the Budget."
