Violence or defiance?: A Report on Haka and (mis)Interpretation

Last week Don Brash once again gave his quite negative opinion on Māori. He was asked on RNZ to respond to a listener who described the Haka as a valuable part of the country's cultural identity. His response frustrated and saddened me but also got me thinking about language, culture and interpretation. These were topics which were discussed with Margaret Mutu last week so I made a report as an extension of last week's interview. 

Thanks to the following sources; Hohepa Tiponi for AIG, Lillian Hanly, RNZ, Te Kura Māori o nga Tapuwae and the composers of Tāmaki ki te Tonga Mōrikarika (The dregs of South Auckland).

Read about the origins of Ka Mate here.

Other discussions of Haka and our perceptions: Leonie Hayden for The Spinoff