New Zealand's parliament witnessed dramatic scenes as a controversial bill proposing to redefine the country's founding treaty between Māori and the British Crown passed its first vote. The bill, facing widespread opposition and protests,

The bill objects to certain to "ethnic quotas in public institutions," arguing protections for Māori culture defy "the principle of equal rights."

A vote in New Zealand’s parliament was suspended and two lawmakers ejected Thursday amid debate over a controversial proposed law redefining the country’s founding agreement between Indigenous Māori and the British Crown.