Topless mermaids put guests off their kai

By LIBBY MIDDLEBROOK

Dinner tables adorned with topless women shocked some guests and angered Maori at television's top awards last Saturday.

Five women dressed as mermaids at the TV Guide Television Awards offended Maori protocol by having their feet up on stands next to the tables bearing food.

Some guests were so insulted that they refused to eat.

"I was bloody hungry, but I wasn't going to eat off those tables," said Mai Time producer Greg Mayor, who knew of at least five others who chose not to eat.

"Most people in this country have an understanding of the offence to Maori of having backsides on tables - it's pretty basic."

The mermaids were perched on stands adjoining tables, where oysters and other dinner treats were laid out.

Joanna Paul, a board member of Te Mangai Paho, the Maori language broadcasting agency, said a number of people complained and while a caterer apologised, there was no offer to remove the women, whose breasts were covered by long wigs.

Non-Maori guests were also offended by the dinner presentations, including Ice As presenter Jon Bridges. He said the television awards were a multicultural event and that Maori protocol should have been taken into consideration.

"It's against Maori protocol to have someone's arse and feet somewhere near the food."

Some female guests also found the table displays degrading to women.

"I thought it was unnecessary. They were there as floral arrangements, but had naked breasts instead," said Lisa Taouma, a reporter for Tagata Pasifika, a news and magazine show.

Belinda Simpson, a reporter for teen show Wired, said she felt sorry for the women, who were leered at during the evening.

The event organisers have apologised for the table arrangements, saying none of the people involved knew about how the women could offend Maori protocol.

Ali Duffy, head of the Academy of Film and Television Arts, said the mermaids were a feature in the nautical-theme after-party.

"We just wanted everyone to go along and have a nice time and I'm sorry if people's enjoyment was compromised by anything we did with the best of intentions." Ms Duffy said.

She claimed organisers offered to remove two of the five mermaids, but this was declined. Ms Duffy said she did not find the displays degrading to women.

Vodafone was also in trouble this week after topless Thai strippers performed at its Christmas party last Friday. Staff complained that the party promoted exploitation of Thai women.