Moko man not satisfied with bar manager's apology

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Tue, 04 Oct 2011 7:00p.m.

Tunahau Kohu

Tunahau Kohu

Tunahau Kohu walked into a bar with his partner, got a beer, sat down watched a bit of the World Cup on the television.

He thinks he was there about 40 minutes before he was approached by a staff member who asked him to leave.

He hadn't been disruptive, drunk or noisy - the problem was he had a moko and at the Parkland's tavern in Christchurch, facial tattoos are banned.

Mr Kohu was outraged. How can you be thrown out of a New Zealand bar for wearing your cultural identity?

***

The bar has since apologised for ejecting Mr Kohu, putting its actions down to a new, stricter dress code.

Bar manager Allan Forsdick said the move was about making the premises "one that is welcoming for all clientele".

Were their actions justified, or racist? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.

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Comments

27 Oct 2011 01:50p.m.

anonymous wrote:

what a stupid rule!! obviously they are not maori or even considerate of maori tradition,shame on them!

27 Oct 2011 12:09p.m.

Edna wrote:

this is racist fullstop argue that it can be ''a simple misunderstanding about the type of tattoos the bar owner was trying to keep out'' we all know about the maori culture its their land we are standing on. He did nothing verbally or physically to hurt or offend anyone if anything he should be given a public apology. whoever said new zealand is so multi cultural and accepting of one anothers culture was nuts

19 Oct 2011 10:46p.m.

Haka wrote:

LOL, that's why I moved to Australia because NZ is so racist against my people still after all these years. No body believes it and yet here it is, pretty disappointing. In Australia I can be who I am culturally and be respected for it. Here my culture is loved by Australia. New Zealanders still needs to wake up to themselves. When people ask me: "I am New Zealander?" I say NO WAY! I am Maori, there is a clear difference and this report reveals what that difference is. LOL, the long pig always reveals it's true colours.

18 Oct 2011 12:21a.m.

Tatia O'Toole wrote:

Did a white machinist produce this tattoo?

15 Oct 2011 08:04a.m.

Sione wrote:

that's where you are wrong. I am Fijian/Samoan and tattoo is what we call a "tatau" which was copied by the palangis. Moko is NOT a tatau!

12 Oct 2011 02:29p.m.

Gosh wrote:

Err point of order, anyone against a tattoo is not racist, they are just against a tattoo. Anywho im sure him being ejected from the pub was a simple misunderstanding about the type of tattoos the bar owner was trying to keep out.

On another point, just because we all have cultural practices it doesn’t make them right or moral. Tradition usually panders to the lowest common denominator and should never usurp advancement or enlightenment.

11 Oct 2011 03:58p.m.

lou wrote:

in some cases i agree maori facial tattoos can be rather intimidating. it is a shame that a cultural tradition has been reduced to something people associate imagines on gang members or the like. but in this case i see a proud hardworking man who has been discriminated and judged unfairly. ta moko is a maori tradition, and should be kept in practice for those who deserve to wear it!

10 Oct 2011 07:55p.m.

ben wrote:

Seriously if i worked at the bar i would refuse to let a work partner dismiss him, there are places (union) (human rights activist) that can help workers get there word across yet most are to scared to stand up to there superiors because of the punishment they may pursue on their workers. But theirs so many laws that protect workers against there employers. People need to speak up, i mean racism is obviously a wrong, and after all those bar workers are actually getting paid for discrimination??

10 Oct 2011 07:22p.m.

Maori rep wrote:

fahr man why are yous being mean man just get over it you racist people.if i was pakeha and i owned the bar he went to i wouldnt give a sh** if he came in my bar.ill respect everyone that comes, its wrong what they did !

10 Oct 2011 05:44p.m.

Bill wrote:

What a silly rule He and all traditional people weather there male or female should not be turned away just because they proudly wear the Moko. I am concidered part of a family to which are Maori the real people of New Zealand. No matter what country your from no matter your religion just because of a visible tattoo he was turned away. That to me is Disrespect and racist. That publican would be lucky not to be victomised or set upon by the people that keep the money comming into the place. Take them to court for discrimination. Tell every one to boycott the place hit them where it hurts There wallet