Editorial: Customs integral part of us

There aren't many countries like New Zealand, where the indigenous culture has been incorporated into everyday life.

Te reo Maori is an official language of New Zealand and many of the customs are used formally and informally.

It's what helps make this country great - you only have to look as far as the All Blacks' use of the haka. It has added to the aura of their invincibility.

Like all cultures there are some customs which to the lay person may seem trivial or even stupid, however to that particular culture it will have a significant meaning.

Take, for example, the hongi or as Cliff Lee called it in his letter to the editor today, the rubbing of noses. The hongi is a deeply-respected custom for Maori. The actual action is the pressing of one person's nose to another person's nose. To understand the custom you have to break the word into two words; ho and ngi, first ho - means the exchanging of life between one person to another. The second word ngi - means the accepting of that gift. Because we use the nose to breath with, essentially it is the essence of life, when two people touch noses together it is acknowledging each other and the life given between them.

Culture and customs grow and change and Mr Lee's view of the haka as an invitation to fight to the death couldn't be further from its modern day use. I'm sure when Richie McCaw performs the haka he isn't inviting his opponent to a fight to the death. He is challenging his opponent to perform at his ultimate best.

Overseas visitors exposed to cultural practices should by all means be made aware of their relevance and meaning, but our official bodies should be lauded for including such components in their activities, not attacked.

The same could be said about Professor Paul Moon's comments in today's paper. He believes a pohiri in everyday life lacks authenticity. He based his findings on a pohiri performed by non-Maori at a government function. Does it matter they were non-Maori?

There are many non-Maori New Zealanders who are proud of our Maori culture. Taking part in a pohiri to welcome guest isn't segregated to Maori only.

Maori culture is a part of who we are as a nation and as a community.