Departing All Black Veteran TJ Perenara led the haka for the last time yesterday in his distinguished career voicing his support for Toitu Te Tiriti before playing his last game against Italy.
Perenara included the words “Toitū te mana o te whenua, toitū te mana motuhake, toitū te tiriti o Waitangi” translates as “the sovereignty of the land remains, the sovereignty of the people remains, the Treaty of Waitangi remains” causing a stir in Parliament.
ACT party leader and architect of the bill David Seymour urged the departing All Black to read the bill and explain why he is opposed to “basic principles of equal rights”.
“I hope he reads the Treaty Principles Bill …It says that we all have nga tikanga katoa rite tahi – the same rights and duties. And we all have tino rangatiratanga, the right to self-determination, not just Māori. The challenge for people who oppose the Bill is to explain why they are so opposed to the basic principle of equal rights.”
Speaking to Sky Sport after the game, Perenara said it was special to lead the haka at any time “and to be able to lead it tonight, specially to show the unification of our people back home”.
Perenara had the support of his team, coach and management All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said.
“We asked him to explain what was the concept around it, and he said it was a sign of unity,” he said.
“Everyone was across it. He gets his chance to call that and the rest of the team gets to do the haka.”
Following the Haka the All Blacks managed to take the win by a score of 29-11.
Photo Credit: Rugby Pass
