New Zealand's parliament was brought to a temporary halt by MPs performing a haka, amid anger over a controversial bill seeking to reinterpret the country's founding treaty with Māori people.

A fiery debate has begun as the bill has its first reading in the House, and thousands continue a hīkoi towards Wellington.

Speaker Gerry Brownlee has suspended the House of Representatives after a haka, led by Te Paati Māori and performed by ...