Haka Faux Pas #46

The haka continues to be flavour of the month in international marketing circles. This time, an English women’s rugby team has caused controversy by including an image of a topless haka in their fundraising calendar. Canterbury Women’s Rugby Club spokeswoman Rebecca Willis has apologised for any offense caused: “It was based on the haka but it wasn’t necessarily the NZ haka … We didn’t know we would be treading on toes and we didn’t think it would get as far as NZ.” Maori Party MP Pita Sharples has played down the incident in the international press: “Some Maoris were upset by it, not terribly upset, but they thought it was in bad taste. When the club comes to NZ, I would expect them to respect the haka. But over there, as a fundraising effort, I wish them well.”