Spain captain apologizes after haka video is criticized by indigenous Maori before Women's World Cup

Spain Women’s Football team captain Ivana Andres apologized to Maori people for video mocking haka. She read statement of apology at powhiri ceremony & presented Spain shirt with Maori name for Palmerston North.

Spain captain Ivana Andres has apologized to the Maori people of New Zealand for a video showing four members of her country's Women’s World Cup squad mocking the traditional haka which was shared on July 10 on social media.

The video was posted shortly after the team’s arrival in New Zealand but was removed when experts of Maori culture and protocol condemned it as disrespectful.

Andres read a statement of apology Monday to elders and members of the local Rangitane O Manawatu iwi (tribe) at a powhiri (greeting) ceremony in the North Island city of Palmerston North, where the Spain squad is based.

She also presented a Spain playing shirt with the word Papaioea, the Maori name for Palmerston North, to tribal elders.

The Real Madrid centerback spoke in Spanish during the almost hour-long greeting ceremony. Her words were translated into English.

“We’ve only been in Aotearoa New Zealand for a few days and we have so much to learn about your culture,” Andres said. “Therefore, thank you so much for the kindness to dedicate a few minutes of your wisdom, especially in such (an) important moment as Matariki.”

Matariki is the Maori New Year which is celebrated in New Zealand with a national holiday.