A former Speaker believes suggested punishments for three Te Pāti Māori MPs falls short.

Parliament's Privileges Committee has recommended suspensions for the three - for their protest haka during voting on the Treaty Principles Bill. 

Parliament will vote next Tuesday on whether to suspend the co-leaders for 21 days, and MP Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke for seven.

David Carter says the haka was 'intimidating' and 'unacceptable'.

"And then to refuse to appear before the Privileges Committee - again, it's yet another contempt of the rules of Parliament."

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