PETER LOVE: "The haka in our culture is something which is regarded as special and should not be bastardised by sport.''

A Maori leader has backed Springbok coach Peter de Villiers' comments on the haka being overused, saying it has been "hijacked by rugby people" for commercial purposes.

De Villiers voiced his opinion that overuse of the haka meant it was less respected at a powhiri for the visiting Rugby World Cup Springboks by Lake Taupo iwi Ngati Tuwharetoa at Opotaka, the so-called birthplace of Ka Mate, on Sunday.

Buck Shelford, who as captain helped revive the haka performed by the All Blacks before test matches, said it was a way of showing New Zealand's culture.

"Peter [de Villiers] has probably seen more haka than the average Kiwi but he doesn't have to watch it if he doesn't like it."

But Peter Love, a trustee of Te Atiawa's Wellington Tenths Trust, defended de Villiers, saying the haka has been "hijacked by rugby people" for commercial purposes.

"I'm concerned our [Maori] culture is being abused by the overuse and inappropriateness of the haka when it is performed outside special occasions.

"The haka in our culture is something which is regarded as special and should not be bastardised by sport. Peter de Villiers is dead right when he says it is losing its respect."

Mr Love said he did not follow rugby closely but his family had strong links to the game. His uncle, Sir Ralph Love, is a former NZ Maori Rugby Board chairman.

Mr Love did not agree with haka being performed spontaneously by "flash mob haka groups". "The haka is a challenge, not something which is performed as an expression of delight.

"Who told those people they could do that? The haka is an orchestrated representation of our culture when it is used in an appropriate place but it is being abused."

Maori Party MP Te Ureroa Flavell disagreed the haka was overused or the flash mob haka were inappropriate. "The young people are using these forums to do the haka exactly right – why not let them do it?"

De Villiers' comments attracted over 270 responses on Stuff yesterday, with opinion split on whether the haka was overused.

'Richard', an ex-South African, wrote that he had lived in New Zealand for five years. "The haka has enormous respect in South Africa and is a highly anticipated feature of any All Black/Springbok match. Don't stop doing it!"

Kylie Dean wrote: "The haka is a New Zealand tradition. If you don't like the haka then go live somewhere else."

- Fairfax NZ