Women’s Rugby Haka Controversy Continues as Top Players Accused of Political Stunt

The haka encouraged people to ‘never fold and never bend’ or be ‘puppets of this redneck government,’ raising the ire of Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.

Chiefs Manawa haka during the round two Super Rugby Aupiki match between Blues and Chiefs Manawa at Bell Park in Auckland, New Zealand, on March 9, 2024. Phil Walter/Getty Images

There is speculation around whether the decision by two of New Zealand’s highest-profile women’s rugby players not to perform the traditional Maori challenge before a Super Rugby Aupiki game was politically motivated—but the club is staying tight-lipped regarding the reasons behind it.

The haka, known as “He Piko, He Taniwha,” was performed as usual by Chiefs Manawa players before their game with the Blues in Auckland on Saturday.

However, two Black Fern representatives, Ruby Tui and Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, stood motionless at the back of the formation and did not participate in what some believe to be a show of solidarity with a Wellington-based side.

Last week, the Hurricanes Poua were criticised for changing the Haka’s words to take a swipe at the government by altering the lyrics to their haka in protest, calling the National-led Coalition government “redneck ” over perceived breaches of New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi.

The haka referenced the political movement Toitu te Tiriti, and encouraged people to “never fold and never bend” or be “karetao o te Kāwana kakiwhero” which translates to “puppets of this redneck government.”

The attack raised the ire of Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, himself Maori, who said the haka was “trying to insult the government.”

After consultation between the Minister of Sport Chris Bishop and the Hurricanes club, the team performed a haka on the weekend that was amended, but again contained dialogue that the government said translated to “Governments are temporary, the Treaty will endure. Poua will endure.”

The team denied the translation, stating the meaning was actually “challenges may come and go, but we will endure.”

Leilani Perese of the Hurricanes Poua leads a haka during the round two Super Rugby Aupiki match between Hurricanes Poua and Matatu at Sky Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand, on March 9, 2024. Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

No Explanation So Far

The Chiefs Club is yet to release a statement explaining the reasoning behind Ms. Tui and Ms. Marino-Tauhinu’s actions, fuelling speculation that the players were siding with the Hurricanes’ political posturing.

“We believe our players are entitled to their views, and at the Chiefs Rugby Club we provide an environment where every individual can be themselves by supporting our Chiefs wahine [women] and Tane [men] to be the best they can be on and off the field,” they said.

When asked about the wider-haka issues after Saturday’s game, Chiefs Manawa captain Kennedy Simon, said: “I think, you know, it’s just helped us come together and be stronger. I think haka is a form of self-expression and we’re just lucky enough to have the Chiefs right behind us on and off the field.”

Comment was also sought from the iwi (tribe) that represents the Waikato and Bay of Plenty Regions that the Chiefs represent.

Waikato-Tainui executive chair Tuku Morgan told RNZ that Saturday’s haka drew on historical narratives that spoke of the Crown confiscation of Tainui land during colonial times.

“The bravery of this team ought to be celebrated because they represent a region that was invaded by colonial troops which led to the wholesale confiscation of our land and future economic potential,” he said.

He added the iwi was behind the team promoting their political views; “Here’s a group of women who have a message to convey to this nation and we stand behind them in full support for their ability to say what’s in their heart.”