22 November 2008
Maori sides ‘not racist’
1 September 2006
By Brenton Vannisseroy: Te Waha Nui Online
Maori representative teams have been called racist in the past. But those in charge say the teams are no more discriminatory than teams selected on age or gender.
New Zealand Maori Rugby Board chairman Paul Quinn believes the national Maori rugby side exists in much the same way as a women’s side does or an age group side.
“I can’t play for the under 19 team,” he says.
Sports broadcaster and Radio Sport host Brendan Telfer also takes this stance.
He says the New Zealand University teams and New Zealand Marist teams are based on a very similar approach but they are never criticised by large sectors of the public.
Despite this, some sections of New Zealand society believe race-based teams such as New Zealand Maori rugby should not exist.
Telfer sums up the opinion of a group of his talkback callers.
“Some callers question what is the difference between the New Zealand Maori side and the South African side during apartheid,” Telfer says.
New Zealand Maori Rugby League chairman Howie Tamati acknowledges that a proportion of the country’s population don’t support Maori rugby.
Tamati says those who don’t believe the New Zealand Maori team is a good idea hold the view that we should all assimilate and that “we are one people”.
But Tamati says New Zealand is a country of many peoples, which should all be celebrated uniquely.
Tamati says some New Zealanders don’t understand the importance that Maori place on achieving selection for New Zealand Maori.
Players who represent New Zealand Maori enhance their tribal identity and they are seen as people with mana and status by their iwi, hapu and whanau, Tamati says.
New Zealand Maori rugby coach Donny Stevenson believes Maori sports teams are important to showcase Maori culture and success.
“Sport is an avenue where they can succeed and get recognition for their success,” Stevenson says. “There is a very powerful team dynamic based on the core principles of Maori culture, especially whanau values.”
Tamati believes Maori sport is unique in New Zealand and agrees with Stevenson’s perspective.
“The fact that Maori are able to celebrate their ethnicity, culture and prowess in itself allows the opportunity to be proud in whom they are,” Tamati says.
Quinn believes the New Zealand Maori team is an important part of rugby in this country.
“It recognises that Maori contribute enormously to rugby in New Zealand and that they are the cornerstone of New Zealand rugby,” Quinn says.
Despite only making up 15 per cent of the population, Maori make up 22 per cent of all rugby players and 34 per cent of professional players.
Tamati stresses that teams like New Zealand Maori should be celebrated rather than criticised.
He says they provide an opportunity to showcase different cultures.
“At the end of the day, it is only a game; we are not going to war or anything like that.”
