2 December 2019

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: "Fake" powhiri for cruise ship passengers at Port of Tauranga

Enquiry

I am just looking for some comment from Steve Chadwick regarding an incident in Tauranga - however, as many of the cruise ship passengers come through to Rotorua which is known to celebrate te ao Māori.

Basically, people have been photographed who are not of Māori descent with sharpie over their face and grass looking skirts trying to welcome the manuhiri authentically - but clearly not that authentic. I have attached the first story we have run already.

I was hoping to get some comment from Steve knowing how important Māoridom is to her; just general reaction whilst connecting to the importance of cherishing this culture we have in Aotearoa.

Can you please send it back by 3pm? Let me know if there are any issues.

See BOPTimes story re above at THIS LINK

Response

From Mayor Steve Chadwick:

Here in Rotorua the authenticity of our manaakitanga and experiences is really important to us - Te Arawa culture is a part of everyday life and our visitors see that. Our Te Arawa culture is something to be cherished and protected and our cultural experiences are mana whenua-led - that's what makes them genuine and authentic and that's what visitors really respond to.