The patron of the New Zealand Maori Golf Association has hit back at criticism of the korowai cloak it commissioned for the winner of the recent NZ Open golf tournament.
After the korowai presented to the winner of last year’s tournament was roundly condemned by Maori weavers, NZ Golf promised to review "all aspects of the presentation ceremony pertaining to Maori culture" for last week’s competition, which was held again in Arrowtown.
However, this week highly regarded Wellington-based weaver Ata Te Kanawa again criticised the latest korowai cloak, featuring red feathers, presented to Australian winner Brad Kennedy last Sunday.
She said it was "absolutely not" an authentic korowai and thought it looked like "a feathered version of Superman’s cape".
NZ Maori Golf Association patron Waihoroi Shortland yesterday said that that comment was "undignified".
He would not reveal who the weaver was but said their craftsmanship was not in question.
"There’s nothing about the feathers in themselves that takes away from the authenticity of the cloak
... If you took the fabric away, you will find the weaving is traditional, it’s authentic."
The korowai has been called "Te Ati a-toa", which Mr Shortland explained meant "the best of the best"; he said that was fitting for the winner of the NZ Open.
