Maori tribal founders of New Zealad’s iconic haka have pleaded for anti-vaccine activists to abandon the use of their traditional war dances during rallies.
Ka Mate Haka is most well-known as the dance performed by New Zealand’s All Blacks rugby side. They have permission to do it prior to their matches.
Haka is considered a cultural treasure that can be used only for specific occasions.
Recently, however, the iconic performance has come to be a symbol of protest by thousands of Kiwis who are opposed to vaccinations and Covid restrictions.
New Zealand’s Ngāti Toa tribe on Monday called on demonstrators to ‘use a different haka’ after it emerged controversial church leader Brian Tamaki planned to teach the dance to protesters at future rallies.
Anti-vaccine and lockdown activists perform a haka during a protest in Christchurch on November 13. New Zealand’s Ngāti Toa tribe has pleaded with anti-vaccine protesters to stop using the traditional war dance during their rallies
A group of anti-vaxxers are seen performing a traditional haka during the Freedom and Rights Coalition protest in Wellington on November 9
The Ka Mate haka was composed by the tribe’s war leader Te Rauparaha in 1820.
“We don’t support their position, and we don’t want our tuluna.” [ancestors]Or our iwi [tribe]associated with their messages,’ the tribe claimed in a statement.
“We demand that protesters cease using our Taonga [cultural treasure] immediately.
“Our message to protesters who want to use Ka Mate was to use another haka.”
According to the tribe, it was active in the promotion of Covid-19 to its members. It also condemned the use hakas to spread anti-vaccine slogans.
Ngāti Toa own the legal rights to use the dance, which is known for tongue protrusions, loud chanting and rhythmic body slapping.
Today, the haka is still used with Ngāti Toa’s blessing during Māori ceremonies and celebrations to honour guests and show the importance of the occasion.
Dozens of ‘freedom’ protesters though have been seen using the dance while rallying against the country’s ongoing Covid restrictions in recent weeks.
After it was revealed that Brian Tamaki, a lockdown activist and Church leader (right), had planned to show the dance to demonstrators at future protests, the tribe spoke up.
TJ Perenara, All Blacks’ captain, leads the haka in preparation for a September match against South Africa. New Zealand’s rugby team is allowed to do the dance prior to their matches.
Last Tuesday, thousands of protestors unmasked rallied in Wellington against the New Zealand vaccine mandate.
As protestors marched through Wellington’s CBD, police blocked all but two of the entrances to the parliament building.
As they demanded an end to mandatory vaccinations and continued social distancing, demonstrators held messages like “Kiwis don’t have lab rats” and “coercion doesn’t consent”.
Also displayed were placards supporting former US President Donald Trump, and calling the media ‘fake and lying’.
One protestor outside Parliament said, “I won’t be coerced” and that she wouldn’t be forced into taking anything I didn’t want in her body.
“I ask (the government), to give us back 2018, It’s that simple. “I want my freedoms back.”
New Zealand is struggling to stop a very infectious Delta variant outbreak. Prime Minister Jacinda Archern has had to change her strategy from one of lockdowns elimination to living with the virus and higher vaccinations.
Pictured are protesters at the Freedom and Rights Coalition rally in Wellington on November 9.
The protestor believed that forced vaccinations in New Zealand were modern-day fascism.
Last month, Ardern stated that the country will require all teachers and employees in the disability and health sectors to receive full vaccinations against Covid. This drew criticism from those calling for greater freedoms and the end of mandatory vaccine requirements.
‘Treat us like people!’ Another protestor exclaimed, when being asked about government policy on the vaccination.
“I’m here for liberty. What the government is doing to us, it’s anti-freedom.
Ardern stated to reporters in parliament that what she saw today wasn’t representative of the majority of New Zealanders.