Spain captain Ivana Andres has apologized to the Maori individuals of New Zealand for a video exhibiting 4 members of her nation’s Women’s World Cup squad mocking the normal haka which was shared on July 10 on social media.
The video was posted shortly after the crew’s arrival in New Zealand however was eliminated when consultants of Maori tradition and protocol condemned it as disrespectful.
Andres learn an announcement of apology Monday to elders and members of the native Rangitane O Manawatu iwi (tribe) at a powhiri (greeting) ceremony within the North Island metropolis of Palmerston North, the place the Spain squad is predicated.
She additionally introduced a Spain taking part in shirt with the phrase Papaioea, the Maori identify for Palmerston North, to tribal elders.
The Real Madrid centerback spoke in Spanish throughout the virtually hour-long greeting ceremony. Her phrases have been translated into English.
“We’ve only been in Aotearoa New Zealand for a few days and we have so much to learn about your culture,” Andres mentioned. “Therefore, thank you so much for the kindness to dedicate a few minutes of your wisdom, especially in such (an) important moment as Matariki.”
Matariki is the Maori New Year which is widely known in New Zealand with a nationwide vacation.
“We’d also like to see Matariki as a way to renovate our excitement and for us to learn to enjoy, to share and to reach for new goals and to ask for forgiveness for our mistakes and to learn more each day,” Andres mentioned. “We know how important mana (status) is for Maori people and therefore we’d like to celebrate that by giving you a jersey of our team.”
Andres mentioned the jersey represented “our mana, our skin, our blood, our sweat and our tears.”
“This shirt represents all the things we’ve got to struggle for, our sacrifices, our victories, and we hope that you just see the privilege we’ve got of taking part in this event in your land.”
Iwi spokesperson Professor Meihana Durie welcomed Spain’s apology.
“Their words came from the heart and there was an acknowledgement that they understood the haka is very precious, not only to Maori but to all of Aotearoa,” Professor Durie mentioned. “In terms of what happened today at the powhiri, today was a very good outcome.”
Spain will play its opening match of the World Cup towards Costa Rica in Wellington on Friday.