A quarrel over a protest in professional sport erupted in New Zealand after a women’s rugby team called the coalition government “rednecks” during a pre-match haka.
The Hurricanes Poua – the women’s rugby union team for Wellington – added lyrics to their haka just before their Super Rugby Aupiki match against the Chiefs Manawa in Hamilton on Saturday.
The haka leader and prop, Leilani Perese, began the performance with the lyrics “karetao te Kāwana kakī whero” or “puppets of the redneck government” before the team joined in to acknowledge various documents and movements that uphold Māori sovereignty.
In its short time in power, the three-party coalition led by prime minister Christopher Luxon, has announced a repeal or review of at least a dozen policies that provide for Māori, in what it says is an attempt to improve outcomes for all New Zealanders.
This includes rolling back initiatives designed to improve Māori health outcomes, stopping “race-based” policies such as co-governance between Māori and the Crown, and minimizing Māori language use in the public service.
The policy that has generated the most vocal opposition is a proposal from one party in the coalition to redefine the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi – New Zealand’s founding document – which includes the right to Māori autonomy and protection of Māori interests.
