TJ Perenara’s haka tribute to Treaty protest highlights All Blacks win over Italy

TJ Perenara played against Italy in Turin today. Photo / ©INPHO/Tom Maher

TJ Perenara has never been one to shy away from making a statement and he did exactly that in his last match for the All Blacks.

Leading the haka for a record 64th time, the halfback mentioned “Toitū te tiriti o Waitangi” during the opening of Ka Mate before the All Blacks played Italy in Turin.

Speaking after the match, which the All Blacks won unconvincingly 29-11, Perenara told Sky Sports he did it in response to Hīkoi mō te Tiriti, the protest march opposing the Government’s policies towards Māori, primarily the Treaty Principles Bill.

“Being able to lead the haka is special in any moment,” Perenara said. “To be able to lead it tonight, especially to show the unification of our people back home.

“I think we all saw the people in our hīkoi ... the unity that our country showed. For us to be able to acknowledge the unification of our people, all of our people, not just tangata whenua but ngā tāngata katoa [everybody] is something that was important for us and important for me.”

Speaking post-match, All Blacks captain Scott Barrett said the team were both aware and supportive of Perenara’s actions, in the lead-in to the test.

“As the leader, they get the opportunity to say something,” Barrett explained. “He said he was going to lead, and say a wee mihi. It was a message of unity, and that’s what he said.”

In a short statement, ACT leader David Seymour, the architect of the controversial bill challenged Perenara to understand the meaning behind what has been put forward.

“I congratulate TJ on his long All Blacks career and wish him well in Japan,” Seymour posted on social media. “I hope he reads the bill at treaty.nz.

“It says that we all have nga tikanga katoa rite tahi – the same rights and duties. And all New Zealanders have tino rangatiratanga, the right to self-determine, not only Māori.

“The challenge for people who oppose this bill is to explain why they are so opposed to those basic principles of equal rights.”

Perenara has been notably outspoken on various social issues, including advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. He has used his platform to speak against racism and discrimination, emphasising inclusivity and equality.

An estimated 42,000 people attended the protest in Wellington on Tuesday, with attendees filling Parliament’s front lawn and surrounding streets.

The All Blacks ended their season with a lacklustre win against Italy, struggling with physicality and defensive pressure.

Despite leading 17-6 at halftime, they fumbled through the second half, ultimately winning but failing to assert dominance. This performance leaves questions about their progress under Scott Robertson, despite a 10-4 season record.

Perenara has led the haka 64 times, Ka Mate 30 times, and Kapa o Pango 34 times.