Is Māori culture trashy? No, you just don’t have any.
From mocking moko to haka hatred — microaggressions, mockery, and ignorance continue to disrespect Māori culture today.
Since the settlers arrived, Māori culture has long been ridiculed, othered, and even beaten out of us.
Early Europeans were often mystified by the many customs, traditions, and rules of Māori. Many of these practices related to food, birth and death, fishing and harvesting, menstruation and haircuts.
In 1877, the native schools act was established, and it stated that English was to be the dominant language taught in schools, and that te reo Māori was to be avoided if possible. Māori were beaten for not speaking their language, but simply showing their culture.
And while Māori traditions and te reo have become more accepted over time, the microaggressions still make their mark – small digs, side-eyes, and condescending remarks.
Some questions about our culture come from genuine curiosity, but often they are just plain rude. I am still reminded that some people still perceive Māori culture as weird or cringey.
Mocking moko
It’s been a long-term trend to poke fun at an individual’s moko – particularly when it's represented in media. In 2022, Oriini Kaipara became the first news anchor with a moko kauae. This was a great step towards normalising moko kauae in the media.
But inevitably, her appearance was met with insults and ignorance.
Kaipara began receiving hate, including an email from a viewer saying her tattoos were “offensive and aggressive looking” and “a bad look”.
However, this didn’t shake Kaipara. Instead, she posted a response to her Instagram story: “Please refrain from complaining further and restrain your cultural ignorance and bias for another lifetime, preferably in the 1800s”.
Art / Tara Griz
Legendary response, and a reminder that Māori pride isn't up for debate.
Haka hatred
The haka has been a proud pre-match tradition for the All Blacks since 1986. It’s more than a performance, it’s a powerful expression of whakapapa, identity, and connection to whenua. It’s a waiata speaking of centuries of strength.
But to some, it’s the butt of a joke.
During the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, players from the Spanish football team posted a video of themselves mocking the haka. Their teammates laughed on the sidelines as they flailed through a poor imitation.
This video was posted just as the world cup began, which was hosted in Aotearoa. While we welcomed them to our country — they mocked our traditions.
A few days later, the Netherlands’ team followed suit. A Dutch player was filmed crouching, clapping, and yelling. This was a clear mockery of the haka.
But haka mockery is even closer to home than we think — it's happened right here at Massey University. During the 60s and 70s, a ‘haka party’ was a tradition during graduation week in Manawatū. Drunk students wore grass skirts, painted their skin dark, and scrawled offensive markings across their bodies while performing a mock version of ‘Ka Mate’.
It was stopped in 1972 when someone’s skirt was set alight. While a police investigation followed, it remains unknown whether this act of arson was deliberate. I guess this was a beautiful metaphor in a way, lighting a fire under one's ass to not be so racist.
Tapu tables
Growing up, I was taught that sitting on or placing bags on tables is tapu. I thought it was common knowledge. So, anytime I saw someone else doing it, it irked me.
A few weeks ago, one of my friends sat on a table in our common room. When I told him it was tapu, he smiled as though I was joking. I stared him down until he jumped off with a sigh. But instead of feeling satisfied, I felt guilty.
Weeks later, this interaction stuck with me. Why did I feel at fault for correcting him? Has Māori culture been so overlooked that even the smallest effort to honour it feels like overstepping?
In 2011, hit cooking show MasterChef NZ was scolded by the media after contestants were seen sitting on tables. Some Māori and Pakeha agreed sitting on tables was cultural gaffe. However, others said demanding that everyone observe Māori customs was foolish or even racist, and nobody was going to tell them where to park their derriere.
This opinion reflects colonisers attempt to force Māori to outgrow tapu. In 1856, Englishman Edward Shortland wrote in his book, In Traditions and Superstitions of the New Zealander, that "since the introduction of Christianity, the fear of tapu has gradually grown weaker, and the observances connected with the ancient superstitions have very generally fallen into disuse".
But thankfully, Edward Shortland would be disappointed today. Māori are becoming more confident in explaining why a practice like simply not sitting where you eat is important. And institutions are taking it seriously.
Since the 70s, school classrooms have paid attention to tikanga Māori, including not sitting on tables. And since the 90s, parents who join the Playcentre childcare co-operative have received guidelines on Māori cultural practices, including advice not to sit on tables.
While the act of not putting your bum where you eat is spiritual for Māori, its logical none the less. You wouldn't put your shoes on the table — so don't put your bum on it.
Hongi hesitation
When I was 12, I attended a pōwhiri held at my marae. I hadn’t been to many before, but I felt like I was doing okay. I was in a long line of people to hongi — most of whom I didn’t really know. When I got to my great uncle, something went wrong in the physics of the moment, and I ended up nearly kissing him.
We moved on quickly, but the embarrassment was mine alone.
Seven years later, the interaction still keeps me up at night.
But for some, the awkwardness of a hongi has turned into hate. In 2021, MP Judith Collins posted a tweet saying she was looking forward to meeting Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison. A user responded saying, “For God's sake treat him like a civilized human being and don't head butt him.” Collins responded saying, “Indeed.”
At the time, a National spokesperson said Collins simply misunderstood the comment. However, she did not publicly clarify what she meant or delete the tweet.
To clarify, a hongi is not a head butt. And yes, while sometimes it can be a little awkward, you are sharing the breath of life with someone.
When Australia's Prime Minister finally did arrive in Aotearoa, Jacinda Ardern shared a hongi with him. And unlike me and my uncle, they did not nearly kiss...
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In some ways, I understand the hesitancy around Māori traditions. They can feel unfamiliar, especially if you didn’t grow up around them.
What matters isn’t being perfect — it's about being respectful. Ask questions, Be open. There’s always more to learn, no matter how much you already know. However, don’t let ignorance turn into disrespect. Making a mistake is fine. Making assumptions isn’t.
We are all always learning more about te ao Māori, let's not make it any harder to do so by making culture ‘cringe’.