Former Te Pāti Māori President Issues Apology Following Racialized Haka Controversy

Former Te Pāti Māori president Che Wilson issues a formal apology following a haka that was criticized for using racialized caricatures of Indian culture.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 1, 2026, 3:45 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

The Performance and Initial Justification

The haka in question, performed by the group Te Whānau o Te Pae Kahurangi, included several elements that sparked immediate backlash. Participants were seen sitting cross-legged with hands in a prayer position, while Wilson reportedly mimicked an Indian accent and head movements. The group originally defended the performance as a satirical attack on ACT MP Parmjeet Parmar. Their grievances centered on Parmar’s past inquiries regarding potential imprisonment for Māori MPs who performed a different haka in Parliament, as well as her criticisms of Māori-focused spaces at the University of Auckland.

Response from the Council of Sikh Affairs

The Council of Sikh Affairs expressed that while they respect the right to challenge politicians, the specific methods used in this instance caused deep hurt within the Indian and Sikh communities. General Secretary Gurtej Singh stated that the organization was "pleasantly surprised" by the sincerity of Wilson’s subsequent apology. Singh emphasized that the issue was never about the right to political expression, but rather the decision to utilize racial stereotypes to convey a political message, which many felt disparaged the broader Indian community rather than just the intended political target.

Reconciliation and the Path to Whanaungatanga

Following a series of meetings this week, Wilson reiterated his regret via email and in person. According to Singh, Wilson has been "very generous" in his efforts to make amends, offering apologies at every stage of the dialogue. The two parties have agreed to move beyond the incident by organizing a formal hui in Waikato, scheduled for the coming weeks. This gathering will focus on reconciliation, respectful dialogue, and whanaungatanga—the process of establishing relationships and a sense of belonging—between New Zealand’s migrant communities and Māori.