Hurricanes reportedly set to apologise over Poua’s ‘redneck government’ haka

Tuesday, 5 March 2024

Super Rugby Aupiki side the Hurricanes Poua look set to apologise to the government over a controversial haka that is overshadowing the opening round of the competition.

Before the Poua’s season opener against the Chiefs Manawa at the weekend, the Wellington based side performed a haka that contained the words 'karetao o te Kāwana kakiwhero' which translates in English to 'puppets of this redneck government'.

Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee was disappointed by the haka and even more so that there was no consultation between the club and the Poua players.

Lee told RNZ that some of the words used, were interpreted to be very strong and he confirmed the Hurricanes club would be making a formal apology to the coalition government.

He said he plans to find out who was behind the decision to alter the words of the haka but does not expect the Poua or its players to face any disciplinary action.

The Hurricanes Poua warming up shortly before they performed the altered haka against the Chiefs Manawa.

'The Hurricanes shouldn't be making any politcal statement,“ Lee told RNZ. “If they do it needs to be agreed across the organisation because we have got players and staff who are not comfortable with what is being said.'

'There are obviously players and staff who agree with it but that is missing the point…we were blindsided,' said Lee.

'Us making a political statement is inappropriate - whether they're saying 'the government is great or the government is not great' that's not our role.'

However, the Poua’s haka leader Leilani Perese has told TVNZ that she presented the altered haka to her team's management before it was performed.

Haka leader Leilani Perese isn’t concerned about any backlash and says she stands by the comments.

'I sent it to management at the last minute,“ she said. ”They were like 'go for it. We back you 100 per cent.''

Perese told RNZ she doesn’t care about any backlash.

“I believe in what we're saying, I stand by it.

'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,“ she said.

Sports and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop has told media on Tuesday he strongly disagrees with the claims raised during the controversial haka but said it was “free speech”.

“Obviously I disagree, New Zealanders will make their own judgements, as will Wellington fans of the Hurricanes.

“Clearly I disagree with them, we’re not a government of white supremacy, that’s ridiculous,” Bishop said.

Chiefs Manawa went on to win the week one contest 46-24 over the Poua.