Air NZ uniforms disrespect Maori - academic

A Maori academic says Air New Zealand's new uniforms are disrespectful to traditional Maori symbols.

The Trelise Cooper-designed uniforms have earlier come under fire, with one flight attendant saying the candyfloss pink colour scheme makes them look like "drag queens".

Canterbury University Maori and Indigenous School head Rawiri Taonui said Maori symbols on the uniforms had different meanings and should not be randomly mixed together.

"It's way too busy and inelegant," he told the Press.

"It's obviously been drawn by someone who doesn't appreciate the culture or understand the deeper symbolism."

It was fine for symbols to be used on clothing but only if it was done "with elegance", Mr Taonui said.

Air New Zealand said it had consulted with the Maori Language Commission and Maori Arts New Zealand about the uniforms, which were in an early concept stage.

- NZPA