Turks under fire for bid to ban haka at Gallipoli

Labour MP Dover Samuels has slammed moves by Turkish officials to ban the haka from ceremonies marking the Gallipoli anniversary today as culturally insensitive.

Mr Samuels' criticism followed reports in Turkish newspapers that the haka was unwelcome at official ceremonies.

The daily Vatan had a front page headline labelling Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan as "overzealous" for his support of the ban.

It was followed by reports in the daily Aksam that Ankara "pleaded" with officials in New Zealand to not send Maori haka performers to the Gallipoli Peninsula in northeastern Turkey.

Speaking from Gallipoli yesterday, Mr Samuels said he had heard rumours of the ban and urged greater tolerance.

"Maori fought and died side by side with our New Zealand brothers here. It would be a sad day indeed if New Zealand and the Maori contingent was not given the opportunity to demonstrate the sanctity of this place through our culture".

He said he had seen the performers of the Defence Force team practise on Saturday.

"There were thousands and thousands who saw this as very, very moving. The haka is appropriate. It is not done to challenge anyone's authority or culture."

Mr Samuels said New Zealand embraced cultural diversity and would never ban groups from demonstrating their culture.

"You cannot tear the heart and culture out of people, and it is sad that there is a lack of understanding about what the haka actually means. What next? Are they going to stop us from singing God Save the Queen?"

Haka expert Willie Te Aho said the Defence Force team - Ngati Tumatauenga (God of war) - performed haka that acknowledged the importance of warriors.

"It is a haka that acknowledges the deeds of soldiers, of warriors, through time, and their links to the god of war, Tumatauenga.

"Particularly in Gallipoli the haka acknowledges those that have passed on."

The kaumatua with the New Zealand Defence Force, Rev Bert McLean, said he was disturbed by the move to ban the haka, and thought it was a result of a misunderstanding of why it is performed. It was a response to a celebration.

Rev McLean said last year he took part in the return of the Unknown Warrior and performed the haka at the ceremony in the Somme Valley.

"The French thoroughly enjoyed it and I would hope that if the haka is performed today it will be seen as New Zealanders' recognition of the achievements of our grandfathers."

- additional reporting by Wayne Thompson