(Reuters) – The Wellington Hurricanes are set to issue an apology to New Zealand’s government following a haka performance by their women’s team that was deemed offensive, as reported by local media on Tuesday.
The Hurricanes’ women’s team, known as the Poua, performed a modified version of the traditional haka, using the phrase “karetao o te Kāwana kakiwhero”, which translates to “puppets of this redneck government”, before their Super Rugby Aupiki season-opener against the Chiefs Manawa, as reported by Radio New Zealand.
Hurricanes Chief Executive Avan Lee expressed his disappointment with the haka, stating that he was not consulted by the players before the performance.
“Certainly disappointed. There was no discussion, no consultation and some of the words that were used, were interpreted to be very strong,” he told New Zealand media.
He emphasized that the Hurricanes should not be making political statements without proper consensus across the organization, as some players and staff may not be comfortable with the message being conveyed.
The leader of the Poua haka, Leilani Perese, provided a different perspective, mentioning that she presented the haka to management last minute and received encouragement to proceed with it.
“They were like, ‘Go for it. We back you 100%,” she told TVNZ.
New Zealand’s centre-right coalition government, which assumed office in October, has pledged to reverse policies of previous administrations, particularly those supporting the official use of the Maori language.
This move has been viewed by many indigenous groups as undermining their rights and position, leading to protests.
“I believe in what we’re saying, I stand by it,” stated Perese, defending the haka performance. “I believe that in rugby, we have a platform where people watch and listen. And why not use our platform to show our people we will never fold?”
“To tell the government that we are stronger than ever, and we will never go down without a war?”
New Zealand’s sports minister Chris Bishop expressed his strong disagreement with the claims made in the Poua haka, but acknowledged it as an exercise of “free speech.”
“Obviously I disagree, New Zealanders will make their own judgements, as will Wellington fans of the Hurricanes,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“We’re not a government of white supremacy, that’s ridiculous.”
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
