Off-Topic :
Fairfax Underground
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Labour MP Shane Jones has slammed a powhiri in Auckland for Mickey Mouse as a welcome too far.
The billion-dollar rodent was welcomed to Vector Arena by kapa haka group Te Puru o Tamaki in advance of the Disney on Ice show that opens on Thursday.
The Northland-based Labour list MP says such "dial-a-powhiri" put the
credibility of the ceremony and Maori culture at risk.
Kapa haka is becoming more a sport, Mr Jones says, and less an expression of traditional culture.
A Powhiri is a Maori ceremony with dancing, singing, and speeches that is reserved for special occasions- greeting dignitaries, funerals, building dedications, etc. You may recall, a few years back, a New Zealand army reserve group in Afghanistan welcomed Laura Bush with a Haka, a Powhiri dance, that made her very uncomfortable. Was the arrival of Mickey and Minnie in Auckland deserved of such an honor?
I think, yes. And it appears Mickey and Minnie handled it better than Laura Bush did in Afghanistan.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/19/2010 09:49AM by FUNdamental.
FUNdamental Wrote:
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> Vector Arena is in Auckland.
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> kapa haka = Maori performing arts.
>
> Te Puru o Tamaki = name of performing arts group.
>
> FUNdamental = gay