April 24, 2018
Finger wagging bad for korowai and reo
MP Shane Jones says weavers should use their fingers for weaving rather than wagging them at the Prime Minister.
The use of the word korowai to describe the cloak worn by Jacinda Ardern during a state banquet at Buckingham Palace was criticised, with some weavers saying it should more properly be called a kahu huruhuru.
Mr Jones says the word korowai is like the old word koka, meaning a cloak or a wove, and it has become a generic term.
"So the people who have spent their time finger wagging, use your fingers to keep weaving and stop wagging your fingers as if you are language police and trying to rain on Jacinda's parade. Less of that and weaving will be better and language will be more widely embraced," he says.
Mr Jones says full marks to Jacinda Arden for having the courage to wear the claim in the glare of the media at such a prestigeous occasion and full marks to the London Maori club Ngati Ranana for loaning it to her and for being such a great support to New Zealand visitors to the city over many years.
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