stop degrading our traditions

I agree with Shane Jones on this one. A powhiri for mickey fucken mouse is just a joke. Why are our traditions and mana being degraded in this way? You got it - money - and if that isn't the weakest reason to devalue te ao maori I don't know what is.

From Stuff

"Labour MP Shane Jones has called for a debate over when official Maori welcomes are used, saying the current "dial-a-powhiri" is devaluing a national treasure.

Mr Jones' comments come after a powhiri was performed by Ngati Whatua kapa haka group Te Puru o Tamaki for Disney characters Mickey and Minnie Mouse, ahead of the Disney on Ice show in Auckland.

The Northland-based Labour list MP described the welcome as a "joke" and "a wake up call", saying a debate about when powhiri were appropriate was "long overdue".

It is good that jones is raising this issue because with the rugby world cup coming up we are bound to see all sorts of eyebrow raising acts.