Mis-use of Maori Name reactivates concerns

Mis-use of Maori Name reactivates concerns of Maori Party

Dr Pita Sharples, Co-leader of the Maori Party

Monday 25 June 2007

"The latest misappropriation of the name, Maori, by a French-owned multinational security company, reinforces the urgent need for the New Zealand Government to stand up for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples" said Dr Pita Sharples, Co-Leader of the Maori Party, today.

“Maori constituents have already contacted our offices with concern about the cultural appropriation of the name, Maori, to promote a French security company” said Dr Sharples.

“They have been offended that the explanation of ‘Maori’ group owner, Frederic Giqueaux was that after a “very large boozy dinner that lasted into the morning” the name Maori was chosen because “Maori was a famous rugby name” explained Dr Sharples.

It appears from news reports, that the Group has used the name, Maori, to head up branches in France, Belgium, Italy, Morocco and even a Limousines branch”

“It’s interesting that the French wine industry passionately protect the word "Champagne" claiming it is a distinctive area in France and as such, should be reserved for wine only from that area” said Dr Sharples. “And yet here we have a Corsican person living in France wanting to pose as a “free ambassador for Maori” without even seeking approval to blatantly misuse our name”.

“We will be taking up this issue with the Prime Minister – who is also Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage” said Dr Sharples. “The decision to shamelessly take the name of our indigenous peoples; appropriate designs that could be used for a logo; and to do it all without even the courtesy of asking permission is an absolute affront to our intellectual and cultural property rights”.

“If we are truly proud of the international reputation of Aotearoa, we must recognise and protect indigenous peoples' rights as a vital measure of nationhood” said Dr Sharples.

“We urge the New Zealand Government to take a proactive role in standing up for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples” said Dr Sharples. “We would love to see the same energy and investment, as a nation, put into supporting a movement to protect the name of our Indigenous Peoples as we are in, say contesting the America’s Cup or promoting the All Blacks brand”.

Background

The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples provides "minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world". This includes rights over political and cultural identity.

The New Zealand government is one of those most opposed to the adoption of the Declaration which was accepted by the United Nations Human Rights Council in June 2006. Indigenous Peoples and state governments have been debating and negotiating over the Declaration since its introduction at the United Nations 22 years ago.

ENDS