Should rugby kids do the haka? | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

A junior rugby team representing the Bay of Plenty at an upcoming tournament will be performing their traditional haka in the changing room - but only because they have to.

A rule put in place by the Northern Region Junior Advisory Board has banned the use of haka at one of New Zealand's oldest rugby tournaments, saying players under 16 don't have the maturity to handle the emotional side of haka and that haka led to assaults at previous tournaments.

A call by Northland list MP Kelvin Davis to have the ban lifted has sparked national debate on whether haka are relevant at age group level.

Coach of the Bay of Plenty team for the annual under-13 northern region Roller Mills tournament, Cliff Honey, said his side would obey the tournament rules "but only because we have to".

His team of 12 and 13-year-olds is selected from Tai Mitchell teams from around the region and will compete at the Roller Mills tournament in Cambridge, beginning in late September.

Mr Honey said haka were part of the Bay's culture and tradition and were performed both as a challenge and as a tribute.

"It gives our boys great team spirit and is part of our build-up ... they can't wait to get on the field and do their haka.

"It's also a real atmosphere thing and everyone loves watching them," Mr Honey said.

Chairman of the Northern Region Junior Advisory Board Dave Syms said the ban had been in place for at least three years and teams were only allowed to perform haka inside their changing rooms, not out on the park.

"Haka are great but there is a time and a place. They are a special thing performed by special teams.

"They are not performed in the ITM Cup or at any other age group level ... To be honest I think their importance has been over estimated especially by parents and coaches," Mr Syms told The Daily Post.

Coach of Tai Mitchell team Rotorua Maroon, Wayne Fell, said he could understand why the union had put the ban in place but felt placing guidelines around the performance of haka would be a better option, rather than banning their use altogether.

He said there had been some issues with teams getting "a bit carried away" with haka in the past but at Tai Mitchell level teams were instructed to do their haka behind the 10m line so confrontation could not occur.

"It seems to have done the job," he said. "Every team has a haka and it's up to the team's coach or management to teach them what it's all about.

"I think it would be a shame to see it disappear," Mr Fell said.

Rotorua kaumatua Mita Mohi, founder of Mokoia Island's Mau Taiaha Wananga, said it was "just silly" to ask players to do a haka in a changing room.

 "Of course they should be allowed to do haka on the field. This is very important for the future of our culture and for the pride of the boys representing us all."

Mr Mohi said haka were evolving and were not just used as a challenge anymore.

"They are a way for our youth to connect with their past. To hide it away in a changing room where they can't be seen is just silly."