July 03, 2024
Political haka response to the treaty threat
The co-chair of the Māori language revitalisation group Te Mātāwai is defending the politically-inflammatory haka on display at last week’s national secondary schools competition in Nelson.
New Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones told Radio Waatea kapa haka tutors and composers are using the children they’re writing for to attack Māori politicians and misrepresenting their policies.
Reikura Kahi says the new generation is more politically astute than politicians give them credit for.
Mr Jones and fellow St Stephens alumni like former Māori Party MPs Te Ururoa Flavell and Hone Harawira were galvanised in their social awareness by the Māori leaders of their time, like Dame Whina Cooper.
She says people should celebrate the social awareness of the rangatahi.
“They’re strong enough to take the criticism. I definitely was when I was at klura and it speaks to the times, it’s a response to what’s happening, it’s a response to the treaty being under threat and Maori are activated to do so,” Ms Kahi says.