November 28, 2023
NZ codes show scant regard for Pacific Games
Veteran sports commentator Ken Laban says indigenous sporting events – like the current Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands – deserve greater respect from New Zealand and Australian sporting bodies.
He’s disappointed at the last minute withdrawal of a Kiwi women’s 9s league side, and Australia failing to send either a men’s or women’s side.
He says there were alternatives available.
“(Australia) could have sent the Indigenous team that we saw in Rotorua. And obviously Aotearoa Māori could have sent the tama and wahine teams from Rotorua as well. Wouldn’t that have been fantastic?” Mr Laban says.
He says its time New Zealand and Australia stopped blocking Māori and Aboriginal teams and athletes from at least taking part in primarily indigenous events, like the Pacific Games.