A blog post that used a picture of a kapa haka group and called Maori culture "primitive" shows a narrow-minded and ignorant world view, the kapa haka group's leader says. Treaty Gate blogger John Ansell posted the image of Rotorua kapa haka group Te Maataarae i Oorehu , together with a caption calling Maori culture "primitive". The kapa haka post said primitivism "represents an early phase of human development, long before mankind had achieved civilisation. Kapa haka group leader Wetini Mitai-Ngaatai said group members were very unhappy about the use of the image, which showed them taking pride in their culture and connecting to their historical roots. Ansell told Te Kaea he liked "the more peaceful aspects of Maori culture" and had "no trouble with people celebrating their culture any way they like".

Source: New Zealand Herald April 06, 2017 08:48 UTC