Haka ban denied

The Turkish Government has denied reports of a call to ban the haka at this year's Anzac commemorations.

A spokesman for the Director-General of Press and Information said reports in local newspapers were not true.

"There is no such ban."

The spokesman said the Turkish people respected other cultures, and there was disappointment that false reports had tarnished that reputation.

The Defence Force Maori performance group, Ngati Tumatauenga, performed at yesterday's ceremony, singing waiata after Prime Minister Helen Clark's speech.
The group also acted as warrior escorts for Helen Clark when she arrived. They did not perform the haka.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Brad Tattersfield said the issue had been blown out of proportion.