Popular New Zealand band Six60 have hit back after an Australian TV commentator complained about their use of te reo Māori in tour posters.
In speaking about "a big push to be more inclusive of the Māori, the Māori language, the so-called 'iwi' at the moment" in New Zealand, Rowan Dean on Sky News highlighted a tour poster from the band "Sixty Sixty... or whatever".
"It's all in Māori, there's not a word of English anywhere in there," he said.
Dean’s unfiltered comments came as he interviewed the chief executive of the NZ Free Speech Union Jonathan Ayling.
The interview was aired on November 1 on Sky News’ The World According to Rowan Dean where the host was asking Ayling about the use of the recent Plain Language Bill passed in Parliament. The Bill exits is order to increase the use of plain language in official documents and websites (the Bill has nothing to do with Six60’s poster).
Dean also made wild claims, suggesting the New Zealand Government was forcing ‘language compliance’ along with replacing the use of English with te reo.
Ayling responded that the Government was “cracking down” on civil liberties. He said the Free Speech Union was opposed to hate speech laws being proposed by the Government.
“We believe that hate speech laws are bad for the marginalised and the vulnerable and really they are bad for all of us,” he said.
Ayling then went on to say the intent behind the Plain Language legislation was “really positive” despite believing it was “Orwellian”.
Dean’s issue with Six60’s poster was the use of Māori without any English in it (despite there being English place names).
“If you listen to your various TV shows, Jacinda Ardern even addressing the United Nations, there’s a lot of Māori coming in. Surely there are plenty of people, a large proportion of people that don’t even speak Māori.” he said.
Ayling said te reo already is the national language and “had been for many years”.
He said those who wanted to learn and engage in the language “should be able to express themselves with their free speech rights”.
“But they are making it compulsory, aren’t they?” Dean said, revealing his lack of understanding of New Zealand law and culture.
In response, the band posted a clip of Dean's comments, followed by clips of past performances showing the band showcasing Māori culture in front of packed-out crowds.
"We got called out for putting te reo on our poster, saying it’s against free speech. SIX60 is all about bringing people together no matter the language," they wrote.
"Free tickets to this guy if he wants to experience some positivity."
1News reached out to Dean to ask if he was going to apologise to the band but replied: "Thanks for your offer but I have already responded to the band and invited them onto my show when they come to Sydney".
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