A Maori theologian has questioned the cultural role of the haka, saying it promotes an aggressive identity for young Maori males.
Auckland academic Jenny TePaa made the comments on TV3's 60 Minutes programme, in a segment on Maori crime that quoted statistics showing Maori were arrested for 90 per centof all thefts in Rotorua in 2003.
Dr TePaa, of the College of St John the Evangelist, said the use of haka gave a frightening impression of young Maori to non-Maori. It was a dance of aggression.
In the push for more Maori culture, young Maori males needed less aggressive ways to express their cultural identity, she said.
It used to be the poverty argument that was blamed for Maori violence and crime, but closer examination of culture was needed.
Brendan Hokowhitu, a lecturer at Otago University who has researched Maori male violence, said on 60 Minutes that "gangsta rap" music had an adverse effect on young Maori males.
It was violent and "it corrupts the hearts and minds", he said.
Maori Party Tai Tokerau candidate Hone Harawira supported Mr Hokowhitu's comments, saying gangsta rap was a culture of violence that encouraged crime.
"I don't like its effects on Maori. It's a bad influence. They think they have to commit a crime to belong to that gangsta culture.
"You've got young guys running around thinking they are black Americans and getting further away from their own culture.
"It also oppresses women."
But Mr Harawira disagreed with Dr TePaa, saying the haka represented male virility and was an important expression of mana.
"It's not making young Maori violent - does that mean the All Blacks are promoting criminal behaviour?
"Women do haka. Is that making them violent and running off to commit crimes?"
He said haka gave Maori men and women a sense of pride.
