Support for Manawa Waikato Women’s Rugby Team

The Waikato Women’s Rugby team Manawa should be congratulated for utilising their platforms to highlight the negative social issues affecting their communities.

Waikato-Tainui Executive Chair Tuku Morgan says their nuanced stance sends a powerful message to the government that its current trajectory will be disastrous for Aotearoa.

The haka is called he piko he taniwha which draws on a significant Waikato centric and historic narrative.

“The bravery of this team ought to be celebrated, because they represent a region that was invaded by colonial troops which led to the wholesale confiscation of our land and future economic protential,” says Tuku.

“Their stand normalises te reo Maori which forms the basis of our contemporary claim that has been accepted in urgency for consideration by the Waitangi Tribunal.”

“It takes supreme courage to be a voice for inequity and I want to acknowledge the Manawa team in its entirety for how they have conducted themselves.”

“At the same time, it is refreshing to hear the Chief management support their players to have personal views in a democratic Aotearoa,” says Tuku Morgan.