Apparently the Aussies are complaining about the Kiwi Swimming team performing too many hakas. Personally I can see both sides of the story. You have on one side the Kiwis celebrating the medal win but then it is only bronze so why perform the haka. True it is still a win to be on the top three but as a Kiwi I do agree with the Aussies and feel the Haka is being devalued. Gold, yes do the haka....silver and bronze...don't bother...maybe do some chant of some kind instead.
Also, how does the Maori in NZ feel about this use (or overuse) or Haka? Even the Maoris, you don't see them do it every day. I think you lose the power or the haka if you do.
Remember not so long ago there was a question regarding the government performing powhiris every time some government official comes to NZ? Similar situation I guess...
Performing the haka even if the medal won is not gold, will make it appear as if the Kiwi expectations on perfomance are too low. You know...kinda like "Tha'll do, pig...tha'll do."
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Personally, being a big fan of any haka, would in fact want to see more kiwi medal winners so that we, and the rest of the
world, can see other hakas.
With chances/occasions at events like the commonwealth games only coming around every few years, what other platform can you
showcase a IMHO brilliant and intrinsic part of New Zealand culture.
possible overuse of the haka(s)? how? couldn't it be said that the haka is underused currently? what with it only being
performed in New Zealand or at sporting events... true, this moving display of something uniquely kiwi should be presented
at appropriate times, but when done properly at the right time and occasion is but another display of vivacity and pride in your own self and your country...
devalued? nahhh... imo, the more we see it and the more we learn about the haka that is being performed and the meaning behind it, the more the spectators come to value the experience... true, it will no longer be valued as a rarity, but it will still be valued as something performed in your honour... as one of the many that have performed hakas, have had hakas performed for me and have been at an ABs game where they performed the haka, i feel that i value it as much now as the very first time that i witnessed the haka being performed in the 1987 rugby world cup...
so, kia kaha, to all the commonwealth athletes and to all those who perform the haka - even if it is *just* for a bronze medal...
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