KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Proud Kiwi
All you ignorant Kiwis need to take their passport and be drop kicked out into the Antarctica. Any support is good support. What I read is Maori this Maori that.Unity is the key to this country...get over your ingnorance and please don't teach your ways to your children! Progress = Unity,
Kiwi in India
Whoa! Get a load of some of the comments! Shove "your" culture down our throat? Tiresome and embarrassing? Too much maori! Yeah - I can see how someone driving a Toyota (sounds Maori) to their job at Westpac in Wellington or Christchurch (clearly an insidious reference to something Maori), having sushi for lunch (Maori eat raw food, don't they), then going home to a dinner of pasta while having a Chardonnay and watching Friends (sounds suspiciously like cuzzy) might think there is too much Maori in NZ. Newsflash people - NZ was successfully colonised! The English won! You would struggle to stand on any street in NZ, turn around 360 degrees and count on one hand anything that is obviously Maori. You don't need to extinguish everything! Why not try embracing the last few remnants instead of referring to it as someone else's culture? If the waka can sail - great. If not - that's fine too.
Alter Ego
Wow, are people so embarrassed about our own culture? Can't be proud about it? As for the Aussie talking about the bad side of a culture, let's not go there okay. We'll end up with a further 100 more pages of pointless debacles of where the blame truly started. Kiwi's have a hard time being so dedicated at times, we love rugby we hate it when we lose, we love the yatchin' we hate it when we lose.
Still remember how people didn't want the haka? Where's your sense of pride? Why be embarrassed about something that's originally ours? I saw the news, the canoe guys respect not going there, fair enough. I thought it was somewhat odd they went to a sport where billionaires play for pride, but hey, if the "show" alone gave New Zealand more spotlight then mission accomplished.
Chris (Christchurch)
I would like to answer to Anna of Brisbane who accused me of growing an ego over here. I am sorry my comments got down the wrong way. I am the wrong one to attack. I am Swiss/Australian (my father is Australian) happening to live in NZ. Whenever NZ plays Australia I cheer for Aussie. So my heart is on your side of the Tasman. I don't know what your experience is but I feel that Australia is more multicultural than NZ but also more racist (at least if you are not white). Only there, my partner (Kiwi-Korean) has been told to "go back to China". Anyway, every country has their traditions and by the looks quite a few Kiwis are really annoyed at some other Kiwis thinking Maori symbols and dances need to be performed before and after any single sporting event. Possibly due to NZ not having a strong self-confidence being a small island way down in the Pacific.
And I don't think there was violence, alcohol and aggression in Aboriginal culture before white people arrived.
Peter
Look, you don't force a dance when you are the visiting nation. Bring back the cup and do it all you want over here where it belongs. Until then, while visiting other nations, respect the culture of others.
Adrian
The guys in the canoe look like pie-catchers, not the mythical chiselled creatures that don't exist since the discovery of beer. Please guys, don't embarrass NZ with this rubbish.
Jo
I think the NZ Herald should stop their 'creative reporting'. It is very irresponsible. Try getting the facts right before reporting a complete load of garbage. We deserve better.
Rob
What makes us so special??? We seem to think that we have the right to do what ever we want before any sports event and mock other nations when they try to do something. I say lose the waka and haka!
Arron
I don't care one way or the other if the waka is alongside ETNZ, as long as private sponsors are picking up the tab for them rather than tax money. I would get way more value from the money that Chairman Helen steals from me every payday if it was going towards dole payments for the waka team to do nothing in Sth Auckland rather than paying for them to live it up in luxury and paddle around occasionally in Spain.
Anna K of Brisbane
Chris (from Christchurch): You say you are a European living in NZ, and then claim to know all about how Australians embrace indigenous Australian culture, ie. you say we are in denial. You're choked by pc culture. If you had paid attention to Your Views, you'll see that (based on your premise) a lot of non Maoris are fed up with having Maori culture shoved down their throats. We live daily in this country with taunts of racism, denial and lack of appreciation of indigenous culture. I'd rather be pointing the finger pal than being on the end of misguided blame rhetoric. Some of us would like a choice, but ignorant fools give us no choice--not all of our indigenous culture is worth preserving, as is the case with the Maori culture--there are some good bits, but there's a lot of bad too (violence and aggression in both cultures; misoygnistic communal systems; a heavy reliance on welfare). The difference in Australia is that we don't go on and on and on about how unique we are in the world with our mix of cultures, indigenous included. Please, don't grow an ego over there, grow some vision instead, and be mindful about not putting an entire country in one basket because it suits your agenda.
Andrew
Oh, South Africa also has a bilingual national anthem does it, and that encourages multiculturalism? They also have compulsory quotas for sports teams in regards to the number of black players. Should we do that too? Perhaps we should make a law where 20 per cent of the All Blacks have to be Indian and another 20 per cent Asian? It's ridiculous to compare us to South Africa. I largely agree with Susan. 15 per cent of people in this country are Maori. That means most of us aren't. And the haka is just typical Kiwi "look at me" small man syndrome.
Kiwi Girl
I am happy the waka and haka is not going to be present at the America's Cup. Other countries are laughing at our embarrassing display of fat bellied men with painted faces jumping up and down. Leave the haka to the sportsmen who are actually competing (like the ABs). I flatly refuse to pay for a waka or some fat men to be sent to Spain when I can't get a hospital appointment for my ill child due to lack of funding. Sort out the priorities in this country then the feeling of "national pride" might come back.
Kel
Sure Makaha, New Zealand the great, New zealand the... blah blah blah blah blah... We are not a country of Maori, Just like we are not a country of christians. If we need some sort of symbol let it be the Kiwi or something everyone can relate to.
Bronwen
I feel as a New Zealander we should have as much support as we can get and the waka and the haka are one of the things that we can give to our sailors at Valencia.
Proud to be Kiwi
Yet again the issue of Maori vs Non-Maori has been raised. Why can't you all just shut-up and get along!! Maoris need to get off their high horses and stop believing that they are owed something and Non-Maori need to accept that this is part of New Zealand's cultural heritage. Let the past go and find a way to get along.This is directed at both sides! I am sick of hearing about people not wanting the Maori culture being shoved at them and I am sick of hearing about yachting being a "white rich man's game". Everyone in this country is given the same opportunity. Its what you do with it that counts. Get over yourselves.
Steve (Auckland)
Its up to Bert' to allow or disallow the Waka. As a young male pakeha I'm a bit over all the Maori bashing that seems to go on in these forums. Its very archaic and extremely embarrassing.
Cathy
I have never known a more racist group than the Maoris. Everytime I see the national anthem sung, very few people even sing the English version! But put everything into the Maori version. Everytime NZ does something or goes somewhere they have to do the haka etc. Not only Maoris live in NZ. Everyone needs to remember they are not the indigenous people of NZ, they came here like everyone else! I don't think the haka or the waka is necessary or wanted at Valencia. It is embarrassing seeing "our country" being shown as people in grass skirts, slapping their chests and stamping their feet.
Fed up
Tell the waka haka tangata whenua freeloaders to pack up, shut up, go home and get a real job. Those overweight excuse for 'warriors' are an embarrassment.
Nev
Waka and haka not required, paddlers and junket riders go home. It's an international sailing event not WOMAD. It raises the questions, whose idea was this junket and who is paying for it?
Kiwikorean
I think that a waka at the America's Cup is not such a good idea. A haka is ok when we win and bring the cup home. As a New Zealander of Maori descent, I am proud of everything Kiwi. But I think that a waka is not such a good idea for this sporting event.
And Susan needs to wake up. A lot of nations have more than one language for their national anthem, such as South Africa. New Zealand is unique in this world because of it's culture, both Maori and Kiwi. You can only find Maori in NZ, not other places. Anyway go Team NZ! Kia kaha - be strong.
Susan (Auckland)
New Zealand has many cultures, not only Maori.
Lew (NZ)
I don't see any problem with it not being banned. If it was in NZ maybe it would be a different situation, but we are the challengers not the holders, so we don't have a say in the matter. As for the haka, I personally am getting sick of it used all the time not just for special occasions. The haka generates honour and respect from the people seeing it but it gets thrown around so much people are going to start saying "oh here's the bloody haka again!". Just look at the commonwealth games, someone comes 3rd or 4th in a swimming race and they get a haka. If Team NZ win the America's Cup, then they are deserved of a haka!
Immaterial
The haka is NZ. It is one of the things that makes us unique in this world. Let us end the petty gamesmanship and get on with the sport (although unfortunately sport needs its sponsors). The world might be a better place without the influences of people like Ernesto. Then we can all live a reasonable lifestyle and still have time for those worse off than ourselves. May the best team win (and only one boat has a team on board).
Makaha (The Mount)
Maori culture and imagery is used to great effect throughout the world to identify our island in the South Pacific. Let's support the sailors any way we can! I'm sure that anyone passing through Valencia or watching the broadcast around the world will connect the dots - New Zealand equals sporting excellence, New Zealand equals cutting edge, New Zealand equals Aotearoa, Aotearoa equals vibrant indigenous culture, Aotearoa New Zealand equals a country launching itself into the future whilst being aware and proud of its unique past!
Bones (Auckland)
They might be able to stop the waka But their will be plenty of Kiwis on shore who could do a mass haka as Alinghi leave the canal. Just need to spread the word.
n/a
I'm a true blue Kiwi living in Australia, only because of the weather and can get work without being asking how old you are. As far as I'm concerned, tell them to get nicked. Do the haka and get on with winning back the old mug. We have the boat, the team, and the skills to bring it back to NZ. Go get 'em guys.
Bugs
Personally, I find its starting to get a little embarrassing to see the haka being (IMO) overused at apparently every single sporting event that us kiwis are involved in. It seems a little like blowing our own trumpet or an attention seeking strategy. In the rugby its been a long tradition and its expected, but since when has it been part of every sport? These boats aren't really representing countries anyway, only rich syndicates. We should simply be proud to have so many kiwis on so many boats. We shouldn't get too precious about our traditions or try to preach to the world about multiculturalism - we ain't that good at it.
Alex
What's the big deal. I watch the sailing for the sailing not the Maori's
Peter (Auckland)
Like anyone watching the haka, the waka scares them and they don't need any more doubts in their million dollar investment. I'm Kiwi and the only "race" they should be concerned of is the combined cultures of NZ backing TNZ. Bring it home, and let the waka ride next to them all the way.
KiwiRob
Yippee! Nothing worse than seeing a bunch of fat people jumping up and slapping their bellies. It's always fun seeing how long they will wobble. Good on you Ernesto, I think you are just saving the TV viewers from a sight not worthy of seeing. Now if the haka guys were fit, not fat, them maybe it would be worth watching.
Hayley Thow
Thank heavens for small mercies. I for one am sick and tired of seeing the haka performed at every occasion where NZ is represented. Thanks Earnesto you're not too bad a bloke.
Paul
Let's get away from the flax skirts, painted on facial tatoos and intimidatory native dances as a way of representing New Zealand. We are not living in the 1800s. I hope we can present an image to the world of a modern western country with cutting edge yachting technology. If the Maoris want to preserve the past, and display their obsolete culture for tourists interested in their history, they are welcome to do so, but I would rather that New Zealand was not represented in this way.
Russell
At long last someone is prepared to stand up to all this who-ha. It has nothing to do with the America's Cup. Why do millions have to be spent to send these people all over the world for what? Why make other people endure their haka and all that goes with it? I do not see it has any relevance in this day and age. We have to endure enough here as it is. Every time you turn round nowadays someone is poking out a tongue.
Nick (Christchuch)
I have to ask what involvement the Maori have had up until now with the America's Cup? My only recollection was of a gentleman attacking the cup with a sledge hammer to protest for ..... I am not sure what? Some perceived grievance he could use to justify his actions no doubt. Who had to pay for the repairs to the cup and who is actually paying for (paid for) the waka and crew to have been there so far? How about sending representatives of all of New Zealand's other immigrant groups to perform as well, after all the Maori are themselves only immigrants having come here form somewhere else (according to their own historic accounts)!
And the relevance of the waka is?
Why is it necessary to have a waka just because there are New Zealanders in a boat race? Aren't Maori only 15 per cent of the population? Let's get some European sailing boats for the majority of the NZ population's ancestry, a dragon boat for the Chinese NZers, maybe even a Shikara for our Indian NZers? So, the Government's wish of making us feel bad if we don't "celebrate Maori" in every facet in our lives has worked. Just because there is no-one that I know of onboard ETNZ with Maori decent is of no relevance. Well done you good little blinkered PC people.
Success is realised when exceptional people do exceptional things. These kiwi sailors and the whole team have proven that already, and whatever the outcome a waka is probably the least relevant part of this whole campaign. A comment noted how the taxpayer was paying for ETNZ, so why not the waka too. Doesn't the fact that if we win the cup and people will live and be exposed to Auckland (and the rest of NZ too!) bare slightly more relevance than a canoe paddled by grass skirt-wearing, tongue-poking individuals that don't represent the majority of the country ethnically? So am I a racist when only Maori are in the waka?
David Brown
What added value does having a bunch of Maori's paddling along beside you in a canoe? They have contributed nothing to the achievements of the crew or Team NZ in general, and whilst in Auckland we're only negative towards anything to do with the Cup. My opinion is, what were they doing there in the first place? Was it just another freebie for the fellas?
I agree with Chris
The waka has nothing to do with yacht racing. Stop ramming your culture down everyone's throat!
Paul
Why should NZ be afforded singular treatment. This is more of a tourism stunt than anything else.
Nige (Auckland)
Do you have to wear a lifejacket if you do a haka in a waka?
Mike
Why must everything that NZ has a part in contain a haka or waka? I see no need for it.
Melbourne
As an ex-kiwi I find the haka and all the nonsense surrounding it an embarrassment. It's time New Zealanders realised this over-rated symbol of some mythical tribal past has become the object of derision to those at whom it is directed.
PA
Good decision. Intimidation (if that is what the NZs think the haka and waka's main purpose is) should not have any place in sport (that includes rugby). Let the competition be the 'final say' and the national anthem be an acknowledgement of both cultures.
Tonys 2c
After a Maori activist beat the crap out of the America's Cup I think a bunch of jumping, yelling and intimidating Maori's are hardly appropriate in this case. Let alone the taxpayer paying for it. I've been to Valencia and met the team and seen them in action. I can assure you these guys are ready to go any time of the day or night and a waka and haka are would make no difference. The team is going to win no matter what and they know it.
Westie
Being a Pakeha and an avid Team NZ supporter I am all for the waka and the haka participating in the upcoming races. The point of these two icons is not to frighten or threaten others but to be the confirmation to the world that New Zealand is a country with a heritage that we can all be proud of. In olden days the sight of a fully manned waka and the sound of the haka scared everyone Maori and Pakeha. There is something magical and inspirational when one sees a well performed haka. Whilst some may take offence to the display, to me it shows how powerful one can be. Little old NZ should be proud of the haka. The same also applies to seeing a waka with full ceremonial decorations striving through the seas.
Margot
I must agree with Susan's comments 110 per cent. Why on earth are these waka people even there? Maoris are not known for their sailing skills. Then the lefties start playing the tiresome race card. This is a waste of hundreds of thousands of dollars paid for by working NZers. What a wrought!
Borgo
Let this be about the yacht racing and Team NZ. The waka is just a distraction. We in NZ get Maori culture shoved down our throats. We shouldn't force it down the America's Cup either.
Luke Mason
Yes it is the right decision. We have got to look at the right time and place for this. We are not holders of the cup and we have earned the right to have a place in the final. However, we have not earned the right to throw our culture down the hosts throats. This is would be disrespectful and slightly embarrassing. However, if we win the cup and host it in Auckland, then this would be another story.
Chris (Christchurch)
As a European living in NZ, I enjoy watching the haka before every game of the ABs. It sends shivers down my spine every time. I also enjoy the way NZ celebrates its indigenous culture much more than for example its neighbour (Aussie) who are in denial of it. However, I can't quite understand the sanctity of Maori culture compared to others. Every time NZ competes somewhere there has to be at least a few hakas and in this case a waka. What would you say if every time Brazil plays soccer, their indigenous people would stage a dance? What if there would be an Aborigine dance every time Aussie plays rugby? What if the Swiss would have a boat accompanying them with an army of men in Middle Age-style metal armour with spears? I mean, it sounds ridiculous, but why the exclusivity of Maori culture? Yesterday night on TV, a representative of NZ tourism answered questions on the waka. That would give you about an indication of why the waka's in Valencia. It's business again, sorry. It's about marketing and tourism. About money. I don't believe it will "fire up Dean and his boys" as so many people in here think. They have to concentrate on other things I suppose.
Moheka
Being Maori, and knowing how to speak my native tongue, I reckon Maori shouldn't support anything to do with rich people's sport. But being asked to do something for this country is another thing, and we should support that. Maori were asked, Maori did not invite themselves, the Govt has seen this as an opportunity to sell NZ as a tourism destination, and as cultural tourism is huge at this present time, a waka with ETNZ is high exposure, especially at an event like the America's Cup, and especially to a big market like Europe. People like Susan O'Neil need to check to see how much the Maori culture Tourism dollar feeds into taxpayer funded public services, and then make an informed comment. As for that lil miss from Texas, a Texan has nada to do with NZ.
Non-Kiwi non-sports fan
I've never understood why NZ operates what are effectively cheerleading events at sports events where this is not a tradition with the sport in general. Unless all teams normally field some addition to the game at hand, then none should. Why should one side be given extra time and attention for marketing its brand?
Proud Kiwi (Auckland)
Hey Susan O'Neill, you obviously don't watch much sport, why do I say this. Well, South Africa have 2 versions of their national anthem, you just can't tell as they join together so well, not like us who do it as two very separate anthems. I am sure there are others but I just can't think of them. I am proud to be a Kiwi and am proud of my Maori heritage, which is something I guess you can't say. I always stand with pride when I hear our anthem and always get a shiver throughout my body when I hear our sports people doing the different hakas, and find the sight and sound of a waka and the paddlers an amazing sight.
Sealegs
There's nothing to stop Alinghi having people ring cow bells and yodel when their boat gets towed out. Oh, wait, that's right, they only have 3 Swiss on their team. Bring on the first race and let's have some real stories instead of these inventions of rubbish masquerading as news.
Joseph Epsom
What does the waka have to do with the America's Cup anyway? Don't see the American sailors accompanied by Indian warriors or The Chinese yacht accompanied by Xi'an-type terricotta soldiers. Its about time NZ got with the times. Yes a waka is part of our heritage and is important to us but all, but all the rest of the world sees is a third world looking vessel and has a bit of a laugh. Don't even get me started on the haka, what a waste of time.
odear
As all the Maori business has naught to do with anything but marketing, why on earth would some 'cultural icon' be onside? If the Swiss took the same approach to self-promo their achievements would leave ours cold. Best shut up while we're ahead, no?
Paulie - Hokianga Hard
People worry if the tax payer paid for the waka to get up there. Didn't the Govt put 30 million towards ETNZ? I'm sure a lot of Kiwi's would have preferred for that type of money to go into other things. Yachting, like motor racing, is a rich man's sport with not many Maori involved, but if they want to support a NZ team, good on them. All we want is for ETNZ to win the cup and if the waka inspires the boys on the boat - send the waka out with them.
Maorilicious (Auckland)
Dear Susan, I say "Bring on the waka!" and once they're finished there, bring it on home and park it in your driveway! Obviously you have a rather large chip on your shoulder and, by the sounds of it need to go back to school to get a re-up on the Maori history as you need to familiarise yourself with the "tangata whenua" (people of the land). "We" have been here since the "ape" man era so to put it, we were here when Mr Cook got here and we will still be here when you pass! I think you are "terribly wrong" in judging all "maori" by the actions of 1 person. Who are you, God? I also think you need to get a life and just for your info "hullo" the haka don't cost a thing, just 100 per cent pure mana (strength). As for the two versions of "our" anthem, ain't a thing wrong with that! People like you that express your opinions in such a manner come across as "racist" as you keep "slamming" Maoridom, when you must realise not "all" Maori are the same. I work very hard & pay tax just like you, does that make me any lesser than you? I doubt that very much! So Susan, by all means add your lil' bit but do remember: What you put out, you get back in double.
Next