Haumaha unfit for position

Rousing response

The Dominion Post is subject to the NZ Media Council. Complaints must be directed to editor@dompost .co.nz. If the complainant is unsatisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the Media Council, PO Box 10-879, Wellington, 6143 or info@media council.org.nz. Further details at presscouncil.org.nz Email: letters@ dompost.co.nz No attachments. Write: Letters to the Editor, PO Box 1297, Wellington, 6040. Letters must include the writer’s full name, home address and daytime phone number. Letters should not exceed 200 words and must be exclusive. Letters may be edited for clarity and length. On viewing the All Blacks v England game at Twickenham, I listened to the British rugby fans singing their hearts out to drown the All Blacks’ haka but was astonished to hear a New Zealand commentator question whether that was ‘‘respectful’’?

In my opinion, and I accept I may be a minority in my thinking, I thought their song was rousing and a reciprocal challenge to the haka.

It is an anathema to me that any international team opposing the All Blacks has to remain mute and respectful in the face of what in my opinion is a violent, intimidating war dance.

I lived for sport in my youth, and was always encouraged to try to win, but also to understand that I was involved in a sporting game, not war. Maureen J Anderson, Tauranga I think that when members of the Independent Police Conduct Authority read that, in his witness statement, Wally Haumaha reportedly said former colleague Brad Shipton was a big softie at heart and Bob Schollum a legend in his own right, they will overturn the report findings of Mary Scholtens, QC (Appointment to top job cleared, Nov 13). Such a glowing endorsement of Schollum and Shipton, who were convicted of rape, makes Haumaha unfit for the office of a police sergeant, let alone police deputy commissioner.

Brian Collins, Aro Valley