All Blacks haka supports Treaty protest

Atereano Mateariki TJ Perenara | All Blacks Haka Supports Treaty Protest

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Before the All Blacks claimed a win over Italy, departing All Black halfback TJ Perenara slipped a message of support for protests surrounding the Treaty of Waitangi hikoi in the team’s performance of Ka Mate.

“Toitū te mana o te whenua, toitū te mana motuhake, toitū Tiriti o Waitangi,” says Perenara.

Last week, more than 40,000 people ascended onto the steps of Parliament as part of the Toitū Te Tiriti protest against the Treaty Principles Bill and other anti-Māori legislation that has passed over the past year.

This is the second time a haka before a rugby game was used to show disdain against the Treaty Principles bill, with Hurricanes Poua performing one in March.

No disciplinary action has been announced nor comment by New Zealand Rugby about the haka.

The All Blacks won the game 29-11.

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