Mauri Pacific Leader, Hon Tau Henare, said the political spat over the singing of the national anthem in Maori was a stupid cat fight.

“Nobody ever kicked up a stink when the anthem was sung only in English - but now Pakeha feel cheated. I hope they can now understand how Maori have been feeling being robbed of their language for decades," he said.

“Our so-called political leaders should get a life. The anthem was sung beautifully, it was delivered in the spirit of the uniqueness of this country, and these people have made the anthem a political football for election purposes.

“Hinewehi Mohi has all my support and aroha. She has brought home, the agony Maori have been feeling for years, and she did it from England.

"I support the anthem being sung in both languages, and maybe New Zealanders should learn the Maori version like our national netball team has.

"It was a beautiful sight seeing the netballers singing the Maori and English version without a hitch. It should be a given in this nation,” said Mr Henare.

ENDS

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