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An Australian TV host has widespread outrage across New Zealand for blasting a popular band’s use of the Maori language on a tour poster – and he’s refusing to apologise.
Sky News host Rowan Dean launched a scathing attack on a government push to be more inclusive of the Maori language while discussing New Zealand’s hate speech laws on his low-rating news program.
He took offence at pop rock band Six60’s use of Te Reo on a poster promoting its upcoming tour, claiming it excludes a large proportion of the Kiwi population who don’t speak Maori.
The much-loved band has since clapped back at Dean as Sky News New Zealand distanced itself from his comments.
He unleashed into the tirade while interviewing NZ Free Speech Union chief executive Jonathan Ayling on his program The World According to Rowan Dean earlier this month.
The controversial broadcaster wrongly claimed ‘there’s not a word of English anywhere’ on this Six60 poster promoting its upcoming tour
‘This is really disturbing in the sense there’s been a big push to be more inclusive of the Māori, the Māori language, the so-called ‘iwi’ at the moment,’ Dean’s rant began.
‘There is a lot new language coming in.’
Dean then showed a poster promoting Six60’s tour.
‘It’s all in Māori, there’s not a word of English anywhere in there,’ he said.
‘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.
‘How are they responding to this push to make this almost the national language?’
Six60 hit back this week with a tongue-in-cheek response with a video of Dean’s comments combined with concert footage showcasing Māori performers and haka at their sold-out shows.
Founded in 2008, the band is currently on a nationwide tour to promote the recent release of their fourth album Castle Street.
Six60 (pictured) has been one of New Zealand’s most popular bands for more than a decade
Kiwi pop rock band Six60 (pictured) invited Rowan Dean to attend one of their concerts as part of a cheeky swipe at the broadcaster
‘We got called out for putting te reo on our poster, saying it’s against free speech,’ the band posted.
‘Six60 is all about bringing people together, no matter the language.’
‘Free tickets to this guy if he wants to experience some positivity.’
The band has launched a new range of ‘Six60 …or whatever’ T-shirts in a cheeky swipe at Dean.
‘Limited run available at the next couple of shows,’ Six60 quipped.
‘You asked, we delivered! Introducing our brand new limited edition ‘SIXTY60 OR WHATEVER’ merch, available at our upcoming shows.’
Six60 has been inundated with overwhelming support from fans since the uproar, including high profile Kiwis.
‘Way to call this out, dude needs a history lesson on Aotearoa. What an egghead!’ New Zealand footballer Hannah Wilkinson wrote.
Comedian Leighton Clarke added: ‘Oooooo this makes me mad! I wanna slap this dude but you know what. He ain’t even worth it! Amazing video guys love you!
Musical collaboration group Jupiter Project chimed in: ‘Power f*****g move boys.’
Many other Kiwis labelled the Sky News host ‘ignorant’ while some urged the band to send him one of their limited range T-shirts.
Sky news host Rowan Dean (pictured) opposed a government push in New Zealand push to be more inclusive of the Maori language
Dean is yet to apologise for his comments.
‘Thanks for your offer but I have already responded to the band and invited them onto my show when they come to Sydney,’ Dean told 1News.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Dean for comment.
Sky News New Zealand has distanced itself from Dean’s comments on the program produced in Australia.
‘We’d like to make it clear that we don’t support the comments made by Rowan Dean,’ a statement read
‘Here at Sky New Zealand, we celebrate Aotearoa’s diversity and especially tangata whenua.
‘We’re proud to broadcast commentary of key sport matches in te reo Māori for rugby, netball and league – and we celebrate and encourage our team and whānau to embrace their reo and te ao Māori, alongside other cultures and languages.’
Six60 (pictured) has gained a legion of new fans after making headlines
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