US commentator and podcast host Joe Rogan has apologised to any offended New Zealanders after calling the haka "stupid".
Rogan took aim at the traditional Maori war cry on a podcast with actor Hannibal Buress, attacking the haka of the New Zealand national basketball team - the Tall Blacks - in their 2014 Basketball World Cup game against the United States.
"This is ridiculous, they're playing basketball. You're playing NBA superstars you f**king dummies... It seems stupid.
"It's a performance art. The other players clapped. They're like 'good job children!'"
After receiving criticism for his comments, Rogan walked it back yesterday on social media.
"Being American I'm ignorant to what the haka means to the culture of the people of New Zealand, and unfortunately I pissed some people off by joking around, and for that I sincerely apologise."
The cultural advisor for the Tall Blacks, former player Paora Winitana, helped create the new Tall Blacks haka and says that Rogan's comments are an opportunity to educate people about the importance of the haka.
"It's not new for us to get responses like this from different countries, players and people. When you get situations like this where people don't know what it's about, it creates an awesome opportunity to teach."
Winitana explained to the Herald the meaning of the Tall Blacks' haka - Tu Kaha O Pango Te Kahikatea - and how it draws inspiration from Māori culture and the story of Tane.
"Our haka talks about that story and how the Tall Blacks go on a journey, every year as the small nation that we are, and we overcome great odds and great challenges. We talk about how in order for us to overcome these things, we have to rely on our current strength but also the strength of our culture, our tradition and how that propels us forward and gives us strength to overcome these great odds."
Winitana believes that through these experiences, more people can learn about the Maori culture and the meaning of the haka.
"If they are willing to take the time out to listen and learn, then they'll realise this is just more than something they do before a game, it's about who we are as a people.
"We can share our culture with these people, we can help, to possibly avoid situations like this going forward, but there's a lot of work to be done."
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I'm afraid that I have to agree with Joe and I've been waiting a long time for the opportunity to say this.
For every team sport representing NZ to feed off the unique fame and heritage of the All Blacks, I feel is not only silly and lacking in imagination, but also detracts from the cultural and historical significance as well as the uniquness of the All Black tradition.
I guess it began with the cricket team which seemed cute at the time, and then the Black Ferns, (what ever happened to silver?), but then it got out of hand with the basketball team ranked 100 and something in the world, doing some special haka of pseudo intimidation before they are blown off the court by 50 or more points by any serious basketball playing nation.
What's next in store? Are we going to continue this childish trend with the Swim Blacks, and the Ski Blacks? Are we going to see "culturally significant" hakas performed beside the pool in Speedos, on mountain tops in ski boots, and at Lords or the MCG prior to test cricket. C'mon now, enough of this silliness already. The America's Cup winners doing a haka on the dock after the win I could live with, but Tall Blacks not till you're in the top 10.