Powhiri for Mickey and Minnie a 'joke', MP says

A powhiri for Mickey and Minnie Mouse in Auckland this week was a "joke" and devalued a national treasure, says Labour MP Shane Jones.

The traditional welcome for the characters ahead of their Disney on Ice show was "one haka step too far" and a debate on the use of the powhiri was now "long overdue", he told Fairfax.

"We've got to stop guilt-tripping Pakeha that the powhiri is something of high customary value yet at the drop of a hat and for the clinking of some dollars, we'll turn on a powhiri for Mickey and Minnie."

Head of Maori and Indigenous Studies at Canterbury University, Rawiri Taonui, said while there was a risk of "powhiri fatigue", they could be used on all occasions, provided they were done properly.

"If it was a parody of a pohwiri, in terms of Goofy performing a powhiri, then that would probably be offensive, but if it's honouring what those cartoon characters, those icons of the world of children represent, then it's probably quite a positive thing."