Students in the audience of the Pacific Students’ Welcome were left “uncomfortable” after members of the Otago Pacificana group brought out poi and danced to ‘Poi E’ by Patea Māori Club.
The Pacific Students’ Welcome for 2020 was held on Thursday 20 February. The event is made up of a series of speeches, a student panel, and performances. Attendees were students and staff of diverse backgrounds.
According to attendees, it was the final performance that hit a sour note with the crowd. Poi E, everyone’s favourite Māori song to mumble the words to, was a part of that final performance and it featured poi being used “inappropriately” by non-Māori.
Marie*, an attendee, said that the use of poi didn’t seem too offensive at the start, until it was swung “between their legs”. At that point, she and her friends felt “uncomfortable, because we knew it wasn’t right”.
According to another attendee, Eliza*, there was “a lot of tension in the audience” mixed with “scattered laughter”. She believed the act was “cultural appropriation”. Another student, Sophie*, agreed, saying, “if the tables were turned, the [Pasifika] students would be upset”.
Pasifika students interviewed by Critic were also confused by the choice of performance, particularly as Māori often attend these welcomes.
The University of Otago Pacific Islands Students’ Association Executive (UOPISA) said to Critic that “when showcasing Māori culture… non-Māori (including Pasifika) need to get better at understanding the tikanga around it.”
UOPISA were “not involved in planning the event,” but have “collaborated with Te Roopū Māori” to create a safer space to discuss such things.
UOPISA highlighted that “the use of Te Reo Māori and the poi is widely encouraged” by the Māori community for any New Zealander to partake in and celebrate. As Pasifika, UOPISA believed they should “respect and uplift the rights of tangata whenua”.
The students interviewed agreed that the performance was a “disappointing finish to what could have been an amazing night”. They said it “definitely did not live up to the standards” of previous Pacific Welcome nights but hope that it will not “reflect poorly on Pasifika who had no involvement”.
The Māori Centre and the Pacific Island Centre have now announced they are “hosting a time of whakawhanaungatanga for all students to talanoa, share stories and learn about each other's cultures”. This event will take place on Saturday 7 March at the Māori Centre for lunch, and “everyone is welcome”.
Te Roopū Māori told Critic they had a positive meeting with all parties involved and have decided not to comment.
*Names have been changed.