Sharples defends the haka

New Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples has been quick to defend the haka after some rather ill-informed and patronising calls from Guardian reporter Frank Keating for it to be scrapped. Keeping Stock is delighted to see Dr Shaples, no mean kapahaka exponent himself, calling it as he sees it. The Herald reports:

The new Minister of Maori Affairs is less than impressed by a call from a journalist in the United Kingdom for the haka to be axed.

Guardian writer Frank Keating said New Zealand's "charmless eye-rolling, tongue squirming dance" has long passed its sell-by date.

He wants it dumped after the rugby test between the All Blacks and England this weekend.

Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples said on National Radio this morning that the English media can "get lost".

"That's our country's ritual, its based in tradition going way back a thousand years, and if they don't like it, fine.

"Its our choice whether it's out of date", said Sharples.

Kia ora Dr Sharples! It's hard to imagine Parekura Horomia having delivered such a strong reply, and more especially, having done so in so few words!! Meantime, enjoy the rendition of Kapa o Pango from Cardiff yesterday, even if the Mexican standoff between the teams at the end is abbreviated!