Māori lawmakers have performed an emotive 'Haka' protest dance in opposition to a contentious race relations bill which has triggered nation-wide protests.

Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke of New Zealand’s Māori party rose and began a Haka, tearing a copy of the proposed law in half.

Māori lawmakers performed a traditional haka dance to protest a New Zealand bill that could redefine the country's relationship with Indigenous people.