By MEGAN LACEY in Rotorua
Racing officials need to be dragged into the 21st century after moaning about jockey Michael Walker's tongue-poking pukana.
That's the call from supporters of the controversial Walker, from Rotorua, who has been criticised by officials for performing a pukana while riding La Sizeranne to victory
in the Hawkeye Stoney Bridge Stakes at Hawera.
Officials said while it was not against the rules, it was not a good look for racing.
The 22-year-old, of Ngati Whakaue and Ngati Porou descent, said the action was not disrespectful but was a show of cultural and victory pride.
Walker has said he will continue to pukana but "only at the big races".
Deputy mayor and Te Arawa kapa haka committee member Trevor Maxwell does not understand what all the fuss is about.
"Why should he not express how proud he is of his culture?"
Mr Maxwell said organisers of the Olympics did not rule out the Kiwis doing the haka when Sarah Ulmer won the gold medal or Simon Wi-Rutene skiing down mountain slopes with full facial moko at Olympic events worldwide.
"Someone please drag this committee into the 21st century."
Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell said he believed the racing officials' reaction was a little bit over the top.
"Michael Walker has explained he's simply celebrating a win. Others hold their hand up and punch the air. Some might say that's culturally inappropriate."
Mr Flavell said a person acknowledging his cultural background and in a way that is culturally appropriate for himself was totally acceptable in a multi-racial country like New Zealand.
Rotorua District Council director of kaupapa Maori Mauriora Kingi said Walker's action was not intended to create offence.
"I think I'm positive in saying, as Michael has said, it's not to disrespect. It's to emphasis his ancestry as a Maori."
Mr Kingi said if people understood the significance of the pukana they would understand why he was doing it.
"When you poke your tongue out at people they think you're being smart and cheeky. Maybe the officials need to take a crash course on tikanga.
"They have concerns but if they had a look at understanding the significance maybe they could hold some comments back."
