Nightclub’s naming nightmare

TANE nightclub is a week away from opening its doors but the newest venue on the Gold Coast will launch with a different name after community backlash.

The tribal-themed club has responded to criticism of its name, which it named after the Polynesian god of forests and birds.

The nightclub is Hallmark Group’s latest venue to join their Gold Coast clubs Retros and Asylum.

A spokeperson from the company said: “We would like to thank those on social media for raising their concerns regarding the name of our soonto-be-opened Gold Coast nightlife venue.

“While our intention was never to offend any culture, we recognise this has been the outcome, which is why we have made the immediate decision to change the name of the venue.

“We sincerely thank the community for bringing this matter to our attention so promptly and look forward to announcing a new name for our immersive jungle-themed venue in the coming days.”

Feedback was critical of the name in the first place but welcomed the decision to change.

“Our culture is a massive part of our identity and something we had to fight for in our home country of Aotearoa. To have a club in Australia profiting off of it was disheartening but to see your reaction and willingness to rebrand is awesome and something I believe we will all get behind, Polynesian or otherwise,” one comment said.

Surfers Paradise Licensed Venues Association president Tim Martin said it was a “shame to see this happening so close to their opening”.

“They had advertised their name for a long time. Someone could have mentioned it a while ago – it’s not that easy to change your name and entire branding.

“It begs the question what about all the tiki bars – is this all the cancel culture stuff? You have to feel for them.”