Press Release 13 August 2009 for immediate release

Ngāti Rānana is dismayed by the misuse of Māori haka to launch a new playing strip by the English Premiership football club, Everton.

"It was an example of the misrepresentation of Maori culture” said Tama Kirikiri, the Chairperson of Ngāti Rānana, London Māori Club. Speaking on behalf of Ngāti Rānana (London Māori Club) and associated groups - Manaia (London Māori Performing Arts Company) and Maramara Totara (London Branch of the National School of Ancient Māori Weaponry), Kirikiri said this was another case of the Māori culture being misappropriated for commercial gain, without proper authority or regard for its cultural origin or significance.

“Haka is something that runs at the core of our identity. As such we do not appreciate these types of light hearted renditions for whatever purpose, as it portrays Māori culture in a derogatory light.”

Kirikiri said Ngāti Rānana and associated groups have performed haka and other Māori dance in London, the United Kingdom and throughout Europe for over 50 years - as a way of celebrating Māori culture and sharing it with the world. “But every step of the way,” he said, “we are mindful that the integrity of our culture must be preserved.”

“If Everton had asked us to create something like this, they would have heard an unhesitating and outright ‘no’.”

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