Haka videos stripped from Facebook page

Byron Kelleher performing a haka. Photo / Facebook

Former All Black Byron Kelleher's new Haka Corner pub has removed a series of controversial haka videos from its Facebook page after outrage from Maori leaders.

The Herald on Sunday revealed last weekend the 57-test star is preparing to open the sports bar in his home town of Toulouse.

But Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell and his predecessor Sir Pita Sharples criticised its linking of the traditional Maori war cry with a booze outlet.

In the wake of the row, several entries for a haka competition were removed from the pub's Facebook page this week, including a video from TV sports journalist France Pierron, known as "hot legs".

Pierron is seen performing a haka in front of a large poster of a bare-chested Kelleher advertising the challenge.

Kiwis from home and abroad have slammed the use of the haka to promote a pub.

"Change the name of your pub Byron. Booze is booze, and KapaHaka is KapaHaka, and never the twain should meet," one wrote on the bar's Facebook page.

Another posted: "Change the name and shame on anyone that thinks a pub should be named Haka along with challenges that include alcohol and culture."

A statement issued by Haka Corner last week said the sports bar was designed to let people discover a piece of New Zealand's rugby culture in France. It added the haka challenge was a charity fundraiser.