An advertisement for the "Shed Pati"held last week at the University of Otago's Arana College. Photo / Supplied
An advertisement for the "Shed Pati"held last week at the University of Otago's Arana College. Photo / Supplied
A party in which students were encouraged to wear their "best hori attire" has sparked backlash in the wake of Māori Language Week.
The "Shed Pāti" held at the University of Otago's Arana College on Saturday was organised by Māori students, who have apologised for causing offence with what wassimply intended as a fun party.
An advertisement for the party was posted on TikTok by Rangikata Turner O'Carroll, who criticised the event as perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
This sparked a flurry of comment, many critical of the event, as well as some defending it.
Turner O'Carroll, who lives in Auckland, said the college should have known better than to let the event go ahead, regardless of the intention behind it.
"It's especially bad since it was Māori Language Week. It to me shows that they have no cultural sensitivity."
A university spokesman said college management approved the request of a group of Māori students to hold a party, and the students chose the event name and theme themselves.
The party was advertised on the college's private Facebook page, the spokesman said.
