Labour MP Willie Jackson says the Hurricanes women’s team is in a long tradition of politics in sport.
The women started their season-opening match against the Chiefs Manawa with a haka calling the Government rednecks and declaring their support for Te Tiriti o Waitangi and He Whakaputanga.
Mr Jackson says it’s great to see them make a stand.
“They clearly feel upset by this terrible government strategy which is a strategy against Māori and against workers and decided to make their stand. There may be consequences for them – they’ll work that out with the Hurricanes – but I just mihi to them, well done these young women and proud of them,” h says.
Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee says the Hurricanes club will make a formal apology to the government.
