Haka argues with rugby team after branding New Zealand government 'rednecks'

Leilani Perese said the changed haka was intended to send a strong message

Wellington Hurricanes will apologize to the New Zealand government after their execution of the haka the women's side, called «rednecks» by the coalition, local media reported on Tuesday.

The team, known as Pua, performed a modified haka using the phrase «karetao o te kavana kakivhero», or «the puppets of this village government» in front of start of the Super Rugby Aupiki season against Chiefs Manawa, Radio New Zealand reported.

Hurricanes chief executive Evan Lee said he was disappointed with the haka and that he had not been consulted by the players.

“Of course I’m disappointed. There was no discussion, no consultation and some of the words used were interpreted as very harsh,” he told New Zealand media.

The Hurricanes should not make any political statements. If they do this, it needs to be agreed throughout the organization because we have players and staff who are not happy with what is being said.»

Poua haka leader Leilani Perese had a different view and said, that she presented the haka to management at the last minute, and they encouraged the team to continue with it.

«They said, 'Go for it.' We support you 100 per cent,” she told TVNZ.

The modified haka refers to «Toitū Te Tiriti&». #39;, a political movement opposed to the policies of the coalition government The Wellington team performed the haka in their Super Rugby Aupiki season opener against Chiefs Manawa »

New Zealand's centre-right coalition government, which came to power in October, has vowed to reverse the previous government's policies, particularly those that encouraged the official use of the Maori language.

Many indigenous people see the move as undermining their rights and status and sparking protests

“I believe in what we are saying, I support it,” Perese said.

“I believe that in rugby we have a platform where people watch and listening. And why not use our platform to show our people that we will never give up?

“To tell the government that we are stronger than ever and will never give up without a war?”

“To tell the government that we are stronger than ever and will never give up without a war?”

p>< p>New Zealand Sports Minister Chris Bishop said he strongly disagreed with the claims made in Poua haka, but said it was “freedom of speech.”

“Obviously I disagree, “New Zealanders will make their own judgment as to whether there will be Hurricanes fans in Wellington,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“We are not a white supremacist government, that is ridiculous.”