A Maori tribe has told anti-vaxxers to stop performing the haka at protests. The iconic Ka Mate haka is performed by New Zealand’s rugby team before every match. The All Black haka is one of the great sights in world sport.
However, the Ngati Toa tribe, which has legal guardianship of the haka, is not happy that anti-vaccine protesters have been performing it at events. The tribe’s Chief Executive Officer Helmut Modlik said:
“Ngati Toa condemns the use of the Ka Mate haka to push and promote anti-Covid-19 vaccination messages. Many of our tupuna [ancestors] lost their lives in previous pandemics. We are absolutely clear that the Covid-19 vaccine is the best protection we have available to us, and we are committed to supporting our whānau [family] to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
According to the BBC, only 61 per cent of Maori’s have had the jabs.
Last week, thousands of protestors assembled outside parliament in Wellington. Many were carrying anti-vaccination signs.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said that teachers and workers in the health and disability sectors will have be fully vaccinated against Covid.