Gen Z likes to push boundaries and challenge authority — and maybe it’s time to learn from them. On November 14, Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, a Gen Z member in New Zealand’s Parliament, began Haka, a traditional Maori dance in response to a bill the ACT party introduced. The moment has been described as disruptive, as it required the proceeding to halt while people joined in the chant. However, this is far from being an isolated event. Haka in Parliament reflects the energy Gen Z consistently brings to professional settings and its irreverent willingness to push boundaries to be heard for the sake of a cause.
Haka’s Influence
Haka is becoming more recognizable due to “All Blacks,” New Zealand’s Rugby team. The ritual has gained increasing recognition, which has inspired teams such as the University of Hawaii’s football team to adopt or mimic the practice. But, Haka is more than a performance used to scare competitors on a field — it is a time capsule of Maori history. Originally a war dance, Haka involves intense facial expressions and slaps that create a beat.
To the Maori, Haka serves as a link between each other across the globe, and it is used to project unity, show cultural pride, showcase defiance or indicate both solidarity and respect. In New Zealand’s Parliament, Maipi-Clarke used Haka to express her party’s adamant disagreement with a bill that would redefine a long-held agreement between the Maori and British governments. While her age hasn’t been a topic of discussion, it should be.
Gen Z is unafraid to challenge existing structures in uncommon ways to make a point and drive change. As they continue to step into government positions, policymaking will become more tangible.
Gen Z in the Workplace
According to a Stanford report, Gen Z is highly motivated, has rational ideas about tackling issues and displays a substantial amount of empathy. Workplace expectations have been around forever, but Gen Z likes to shake things up to make their voices heard. They speak up about leaving on time, prioritizing mental health and respecting their days off. Gen Z also engages in radical practices to prove a point. “Quiet Quitting,” a practice where workers disengage from their jobs and do the bare minimum, originates with the demographic. They believe it is unnecessary to go above and beyond for a company that doesn’t care about them. While many of these habits are meant to improve both their work and personal lives, they don’t always sit well with older coworkers, who sometimes see it as a challenge to their authority.
Gen Z in Politics
Gen Z is more racially diverse than previous generations, is on track to becoming the most educated generation and is highly motivated with ideas about how to tackle societal issues. They believe that the government has a responsibility to its people, and 7 in 10 of the demographic believe that it should be doing more. Gen Z’s experience has been characterized by a declining economy, an unstable job market, a global pandemic and the digital media literacy to witness all of it. This has molded them into acutely aware and outspoken citizens who have deemed it necessary to speak out about mental health, climate change, women’s rights and social responsibility.
In a recent podcast, Maipi-Clarke addressed criticism about her decision to engage in Haka in Parliament. She responded by saying it was, “the best place and the best timing,” reflecting Gen Z’s values. When you lack power, one’s culture, language and visibility all serve to amplify their voice and enact change. Sometimes, being heard requires acting outside of tradition and public expectations in a way that can be considered irreverent. But, friction is a small price to pay for a cause. Activities such as the Pro-Palestine Student Union Boycotts, Four Day Work Week and the Black Lives Matter movement exemplify this belief.
The Future of Politics
Gen Z likes to take up space, be direct and challenge tradition. While previous generations view these actions as irreverent and irresponsible. However, people of this new generation exhibit a passion that yields results and generates change through spotlighting issues, advocating from a place of genuine empathy and cultural understanding. Nevertheless, it is important for Gen Z to be mindful to ensure their passion isn’t misinterpreted as irreverence, which could lead to their exclusion from important spaces. But, as Gen Z begins to age into more leadership roles, including political offices, Haka in Parliament symbolizes the beginning of their influence.
Acknowledgement: The ideas expressed in this article are those of the individual author.
