Fake Maori scandal
26th January 2010
Tourists love sampling a little Maori culture when travelling to New Zealand. But one Kiwi tour operator desperate to cash in on Maori culture, has come under fire for using foreigners to demonstrate traditional customs claiming Maoris are "too lazy to work".
The Discovery Heritage Centre has hired Europeans alongside part-indigenous people to take part in traditional dances, distinguishing them by writing 'fake Maori' on their heads.
The director of the company, which claims to provide 'cultural liaison' and on-board dance performance for cruise ships, has maintained that they have only resorted to using foreigners as local Maoris are unwilling to promote themselves.
Terina Puriri told New Zealand's Herald on Sunday: "Some of our Maori are too slack to promote themselves. Some of our Maori are too lazy to get out of bed to do that.
"They don't turn up and it's a known thing for Tauranga Maori to do that."
But competing companies who also tout for business at the cruise port of Tauranga in New Zealand's North Island, have complained, forcing the mixed group of performers to wait outside the port gates for business.
The group, including French and Israeli dancers, dress in traditional feathered robes, but are distinguished by the 'fake Maori' signs written on their heads in pen.
Local Maori elders have called the company's conduct and criticism of Maori work ethics "highly insulting" and the Port of Tauranga's commercial manager, Graeme Marshall feared the port could receive "international condemnation" over the issue.
But Ms Puriri claimed critics should "relax" claiming that tourists don't mind the Maori stand-ins as they are impressed by the group's love of Maori culture and beautiful outfits.
What do you think?
There is an awful lot wrong with this story, however, is it significant that the dancers were not all Maori, or is it the operators attitude that is offensive? Is it possible to create an authentic event of cultural significance on the deck of a cruise ship – regardless whether or not the the dancers are indigenous?
Have your say on goWander.com!