'Disrespectful': Group of nurses blasted for anti-virus 'haka'

Publish date: Monday, 20 Apr 2020, 8:51PM

A group of nurses fighting Covid-19 at a UK hospital have been branded "embarrassing" and "disrespectful" for performing their version of a haka to fight the pandemic.

The nurses from Tavistock Hospital posted the video to Twitter. It shows a large group of uniformed nurses performing for the camera with what appears to be bandages around their heads.

Some have also smeared a dark colour under their eyes.

They hold up pictures of a novel coronavirus molecule before attempting some kind of attempt at a haka.

I saw this so now you have to see it too pic.twitter.com/2DfN9TPJoT
— Jack Posobiec, IWO (@JackPosobiec) April 19, 2020

Midway through the performance, one nurse steps forward clutching a piece of medical equipment and bellows:

"This is the message we wish to affirm!

"You'll never beat us, we hate you, you germ!

"Together we'll triumph with strength from within!

"Mankind will destroy you, mankind will win!"

Speaking to the BBC, the hospital said the haka was a moment of "wonderful bonding".

Despite their enthusiasm, comments on the hospital's social media feed were less than complimentary.

Many people have asked whether the nurses were really that busy if they had time to rehearse and perform.

"I can't believe this, they must know the majority of the public find these disrespectful when we are told how rushed off their feet they are," wrote one man.

We understand and support your healthcare work BUT this is *truly awful* for us in New Zealand. Understand the place of the haka. Please don't do this. Just don't.
— Stephen Streat (@stephen_streat) April 20, 2020

"They must have practised for a while too. Maybe that time could have been spent at a hospital that is struggling."

Others said the performance was "embarrassing" and a "lot of cringe".

Please, as a nurse in Aotearoa New Zealand, I ask that you take this down and say sorry. This is not appropriate, it's insulting, and as nurses you should know better.
Please read up on Cultural Safety, a nursing theory that arose from the experiences of Māori nurses.
— Mikey RN 🏴 (@mikeythenurse) April 20, 2020

Some posted in support of the nurses, saying they were working in a high-pressure environment.

"Give them a break ... High pressure job letting off a bit of steam with a bit of loonacy (sic) is great for morale & shares their hope for the future," wrote one supporter.

It isn’t your culture that’s being poorly interpreted here, so of course you wouldn’t understand the offence. No one is questioning the great work they’re doing, it would just be great if people left things they knew little to nothing about the hell alone. Do a jig or whatever
— 𝖘𝖆𝖎𝖓𝖙 𝖜𝖎𝖑𝖑𝖎 𝖛𝖆𝖓𝖎𝖑𝖑𝖎 (@killwillvol_1) April 20, 2020

You know when you see a crappy driver and ppl say "where did you get your license a cereal box" when I see crappy haka I'm going to say "where did you learn to haka Tavistock". That's i feel about this.
— Mahisian (@mahisian_wahine) April 20, 2020

Can we call it a Haha rather than a Haka?
— SmashedRadar (@SmashedRadar) April 20, 2020

Just a suggestion...

Could you not?

Actually just delete this immediately and issue an apology.

Thanks.
— Brad Kul (@Brad_Kul) April 20, 2020

The British High Commissioner to New Zealand, Laura Clarke has since posted to Twitter, responding to a user that she would be getting in touch with the nurses involved, to advise them of the cultural misappropriation and to ask them to take the video down.