Haka At Destiny Church Protests: Māori And Pacific Leaders Weigh In

Friday, 21 February 2025, 6:29 pm
Article: RNZ

Coco Lance, RNZ Pacific Digital Journalist

Members of Destiny's Church have ignited controversy over their use of haka during protests against a children's show hosted by a drag artist, an event that was part of Pride Week celebrations.

The protest, led by the church's Man Up and Legacy groups, saw around 30 protesters storm Te Atatū Peninsula public library on February 15, where the show was taking place.

They later disrupted the Auckland Pride Parade on Ponsonby Road.

The use of haka in the protests has quickly sparked heated debate, inciting mass online discourse around whether its use has been misapplied.

Destiny Church spokesperson responds

Speaking with Te Ao Māori news, Charles Hunia - a spokesman for Destiny Church - defended the protest, stating that no one should decide whether haka is being used "appropriately."

He explained that the intention was to protest the "sexualisation of kids," rather than attack the rainbow community. He further rejected claims that children were "terrorised" during the protest.

However, many have argued that the haka has been inappropriately utilised.

Toitū te Tiriti leader weighs in

Eru Kapa-Kingi (Te Aupōuri, Ngāpuhi) a Māori legal academic and leader of Toitū te Tiriti, argues that it violates core Māori values.

"In te ao Māori, all people, regardless of gender or identity-those of diverse aroha, let's call it-have mana and tapu, which should be respected," he said. "Using haka to target and demean the mana of the LGBTQ+ community contradicts these principles."

Kapa-Kingi argued that homophobia and racism are products of colonialism and foreign to Aotearoa's traditional Māori values.

"These ideas were introduced by colonisers, alongside Christianity and settler ideologies. They have no place in traditional Māori values," he said.

He described the protest's use of haka as "disheartening," stating that it undermines efforts to protect Māori culture.

"It's heartbreaking, frustrating for me and others in Māori communities who are working hard to reclaim the truth of being Māori," he said.

"The misuse of haka to push colonial agendas is perversely ironic."

Kapa-Kingi also pointed out that true liberation for tangata whenua cannot come at the expense of others.

"Tangata whenua liberation must go hand-in-hand with the liberation of all peoples who live in Aotearoa," he said. "You can't fight for tangata whenua rights while pushing hateful agendas against trans and rainbow communities. These things don't align."

He acknowledged that Māori are still in the early stages of cultural reclamation, "and finding our way back to ourselves, our tikanga, and the values our ancestors lived by."

He concluded by calling on heterosexual men and women to take responsibility.

"The same way I would expect Pākehā to educate Pākehā on how to be tangata tiriti, there is a responsibility on straight men like me to call out other straight men, who are largely the ones perpetuating these hate crimes. Do not be afraid to stand in solidarity."

Māori and Pacific Rainbow communities response

The use of haka across the protests has further drawn strong criticism from Māori and Pacific Rainbow communities.

Pere Wihongi (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kuri, Ngāti Wai) a Māori composer and prominent kapa haka performer, responded with a statement on Facebook.

"I've had to stop and breathe a few times this week. In a world where rainbow pride is trying to create safe spaces for our rainbow kids and whānau…it is actually being interpreted...as the brainwashing and eradication of heterosexual relationships, apparently."

He further added, "I think it hit home extra this time seeing people I actually know involved in all of this exploitation of rangatahi Māori, haka and God. So passionately, they're even physically abusive towards it.

"Most of them (protesters) seem like good genuine people - who truly believe they're doing God's work by saving other people, without realising the way it's being approached is actually harming and driving people away from their message."

Speaking to the PMN, Penni Wolfgramm, a Pacific Rainbow advocate and clinical psychologist, expressed concern over the protest's participants.

"We look at the makeup of this church... and the makeup of the protesters over the weekend, and they are our Māori, Pacific whānaunga, our family," she said.

She added that there are challenges when the harm is caused by members of their own families and communities.

"Our Pacific rainbow community, many of us are fed up, but many of us are not surprised by these actions," she said.

Wolfgramm added that an urgent talanoa between conservative Pacific communities and Rainbow advocates would be critical in moving towards acceptance.

© Scoop Media

RNZ

New Zealand's public broadcaster, providing comprehensive NZ news and current affairs, specialist audio features and documentaries.

Radio New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. Radio New Zealand News are vital elements in our programming, providing impartial news and information to New Zealanders every day. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) provides listeners with exciting and independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.

Contact RNZ

• Website - www.radionz.co.nz
• Twitter - @rnz_news
• Facebook
• Link - Contact RNZ