Uproar Over Fake Maori Scandal
Source: AOL Travel
Posted: 01/29/10 6:27PM
Filed Under: Travel
The travel world has been abuzz this week with the tale of a fake Maori scandal. According to Wanderlust tensions between rival New Zealand dance troupes have reached a peak over one companies use of non-Maoris in its culture performances.
The Discovery Heritage Centre has hired French and Israeli men to perform alongside indigenous performers in traditional Maori dances. The fact that there are non-Maori participants is not hidden from tourists, as they are made to write ‘fake Maori’ on the backs of their heads. What has stirred up controversy on the island is a quote from the company’s director, Terina Puriri, in the New Zealand Herald on Sunday , that reads: "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."
Local Maori elders have called the company's conduct "highly insulting" and the local port authority fears a backlash from international tourists over the comments.
So far, complaints from other dance group about the non- Maoris has forced the Discovery Heritage Centre group to perform outside the gates of lucrative cruise ship stop the Port of Tauranga.
0 %
100 %
