Readers' views: Is the Haka being overdone?

The New Zealand Sevens squad perform a haka after winning the gold medal. Picture / Brett Phibbs

The Australians can't handle the spirit of Aotearoa. I feel for the Aborigines. It's not New Zealand's fault for being proud and embracing Maori culture. After all, it is our native voice.
- Brigette Black

The Aussies have won well over 100 medals so far so how would we like it if they sang Waltzing Matilda for every medal they won? We'd go crazy. Leave the haka for gold medal celebrations only.
- Ben M. Bartlett

The Aussies get it right for once. The haka should be performed only after great victories (like Moss's). It's embarrassing to see it overdone, like with the Sevens, and I cringed seeing it performed for third place.
- Greg Darracott

It is being overdone. I often cringe when I see it. I have always associated it with the All Blacks, and that is fine. Frankly, it is a native thing and I am not a native.
- B. G. Fuller

I agree that overdoing the haka will demean it. It will lose its significance and people will no longer respond with the usual enthusiasm. Please don't make it a humdrum affair.
- George Lim

Yes, the haka is done to death everywhere. I am sick of it.
- Bryan Ashton

Unfortunately, I have to agree with the Aussies. As a 66-year-old Pakeha, I think they should reserve it for the gold medal-winners, but I suppose if they do there will not be too many chances to exploit it.
- Alan Dawson

I am thoroughly sick and tired of the hackneyed haka. It has been diminished to some sort of laughing stock to the world. A childish display that even a kangaroo could do - and I'm not even an Aussie. Why do New Zealanders - mostly male - feel that the rest of the world has to stop and watch them "perform" at every opportunity? Kiwis think it is their right. I think it is their wrong. No wonder some parts of the world think we still run around in grass skirts waving wooden clubs.
- Lesley Williams

No way! Our athletes are proud of their team's achievements. Haka is part of our culture and lifestyle. Go, Kiwis! Bring home more medals!
- Mele Heketoa

Far be it for me to agree with an Australian, but I do think the Kiwi team is overdoing the haka. Yes for Moss Burmester's gold, yes for Dean Kent because he lost his dad, but for other bronze medallists or even silver, give it a break and let the gold medallist take centre stage.
- Tanya Middleton

Bugger the Aussies, it's our haka. They are jealous because Waltzing Matilda puts everyone to sleep.
- Kelvin Rush

From an average Kiwi living in the UK: It's an embarrassment, get a grip and start winning. I'm with the Aussies on this one.
- Bryce Taylor

Yes, they are overdoing the haka. It is being cheapened in Melbourne.
- Nathan Shaw

The haka is being cheapened and diminished by its overuse. If it's a haka for silver and bronze, then why not for qualifying for a final or turning up? What if the Aussies had a corroboree and then went walk about every time they won a medal? We would soon get sick of that.
- Steve Saunders

I hate to agree with the fine people of Australia but after living 30 years overseas (North America) and witnessing many feeble hakas, it seems New Zealand is sending every little team off overseas with their haka. The worst was an intermediate school band in Hawaii taking part in a downtown parade ... skinny little arms and legs, and immature voices left the spectators just wondering what that was all about.
- Gillian Jones

What's wrong with us in this country? We celebrate mediocrity with such enthusiasm. I have no problem with honouring winners with the haka but doing it for people who come third?
Let's not steal the limelight of those who deserve it.
Otherwise we are in danger of being poor losers - one event for which we deserve gold.
- Lars Vukcevic

The haka is moving and fitting for a gold medal but it's just too much - even cringing - for the others.
- Antonina Georgetti

Firstly, the haka is not unique to New Zealand. What about Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, in fact the rest of the Pacific?
Secondly, the haka is a sign of respect, mana, etc, and the swimmers are a great example of the attitude in New Zealand - that getting third warrants celebration. Look at Australia. You don't hear them talking about who got second or third. It's win, win, win.
Thirdly, where in the words of Ka mate, Ka Mate does it say "congratulations"?
- Andrew Neal

I am sure if Australia had embraced their aboriginal heritage as New Zealand does its Maori heritage they would be doing some sort of native celebratory dance, too. But they haven't and they didn't. Sour grapes, I say.
- Lea Simpson

I feel the haka is being used like a comfort blanket, and as a nation, we still haven't grown up enough to accept that we are multicultural. Put another way, Maori make their voice heard when something is not in their favour, stating that it is either racist or biased toward "Europeans", then a majority "white" team go to the games and the haka is used. I feel the true feelings of the Europeans in the team are being stymied in the name of political correctness.
- Richard Sato-Allen

Keep it up! The haka is welcomed whenever the All Blacks play in Europe and is very much part of the tradition and culture. It is unique to New Zealanders and should be performed by any Kiwi participating in any form of sport.
- Stephen Biddiscombe

Can't get enough, especially here in the UK-Ireland. The haka is for all Kiwis, Maori, Pakeha, Pacific Islanders and every other race living in New Zealand. We are a multicultural society and the haka is our culture, it's who we are, it's our identity. I feel so very proud to be Maori when the haka is performed.
- Trevor Davis

Haka for coming second or third? No.
- Roger Simpson

The haka is being overdone. Give it a rest. Keep it for the rugby codes.
- J. Legg

The Haka (albeit traditionally a welcome or intimidation of the enemy) has evolved into being a way to celebrate. No one complains of the Scots playing the bagpipes and neither should they.
Then again ... if the English start singing Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, perhaps I'll reconsider.
- Martin Paget