The Hurricanes have been slammed for referring to an upcoming game against the Chiefs as the "Taranaki Land War".
Many took to social media to criticise the Hurricanes' social media post which has since been deleted.
Among those who spoke out against the post was former Maori Party co-leader MaramaFox, who called it "a sad indictment on our country's progression".
Fox said the incident is a sign of the country's ignorance of its own history.
"People are inadvertently making blunders like this because we don't teach it in our schools, so people don't understand how offensive it is," Fox told Newshub.
@Hurricanesrugby This is disgusting. Do you have any idea how many of our people were murdered and our women raped in the land wars. How fucking dare you! pic.twitter.com/PTLsLxD55S
I usually find that the massacre of women and children isn’t my idea of a great night out Who’s your social media guru Hurricanes? 😒 pic.twitter.com/HdurMcseMJ
@Hurricanesrugby a good apology goes a long way. Passive resistance, murder, rape, enslavement and an official crown apology not really a cool reference for a rugby game right? @tauhenare
The Hurricanes apologised for any offence caused by the post, and said the person who made the post wasn't aware of the history it invoked.
"The Hurricanes acknowledge we have made a genuine mistake in regards to a promotion for Friday's match against the Chiefs by referring to a Taranaki Land War. We have unreservedly apologised to Taranaki whānui and Waikato Tainui iwi for any offence caused," the club said in a statement.
The Hurricanes acknowledge we have made a genuine mistake in regards to a promotion for Friday's match against the Chiefs by referring to a Taranaki Land War. We have unreservedly apologised to Taranaki whānui and Waikato Tainui iwi for any offence caused. https://t.co/56Gy77ldM7
