[MSN] A planned $30 million Maori-themed development in northern Texas called Kiora Park is cultural theft, Maori say.

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Texas development 'cultural theft' 
27 June 2006  
By JOANNA DAVIS

A planned $30 million Maori-themed development in northern Texas called
Kiora Park is cultural theft, Maori say. 


The proposed 250-apartment development in Plano, near Dallas, is being
promoted as having a New Zealand architectural theme "by incorporating
elements from homes in that region". 

"We will use visual and other elements from the history and culture and
Maori folk art from New Zealand to produce a strong and memorable theme,"
the company's website says. 

The website, which has a repeated fernleaf motif, does not give details on
how the Maori theme will be realised. 

Maori activist Ken Mair said the themed development was a form of cultural
theft. He questioned whether it could also be intellectual property theft. 

"If it's clearly identified as Maori and that's the foundation of where
they're coming from they should have a substantial discussion with
appropriate Maori people, hapu, iwi, whoever, to seek our permission," he
said. 

Mair said it was extremely ill-mannered to proceed without Maori permission
and guidance. 

The misspelling of kia ora was not a good start, he said. 

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia said the name Kiora Park itself showed
there would be questions of authenticity about such a development. "How many
more mistakes will there be?" 

She said the cultural appropriation was invasive and insensitive. Maori
culture was unique to New Zealand and should be used to entice tourists to
visit this country. 

"We're all very proud of the culture and more than willing to share it with
people who come here, but to have it transplanted into Dallas, that sounds a
bit incredible," she said. 

"It's a bit like Suzanne Paul, with respect, trying to make a plastic Maori
village in Auckland." 

Controversy over Maori branding is not uncommon. The New Zealand Rugby Union
is investigating a French firm using Maori artwork, haka-performing players
and the words "Maori Rugby - New Zealand" on its clothing and sports gear. 

In April, tobacco giant Philip Morris was forced to apologise to Maori for
using Maori images on cigarette packets sold in Israel. 

Other disputes have involved a Moriori design used on boxes containing
fossilised shark teeth, the use of Maori words in Lego's Bionicle's toy
range and a Ford truck adorned with flame-like tattoo designs supposedly of
Maori origin. 

Author and Books In Homes founder Alan Duff said Maori had bigger problems
than concerns about cultural branding. 

The US housing development was not offensive, he said. 

"What's offensive to Maori is those (Kahui) twins getting killed and the
family not talking to police. That reflects badly on Maori and that's what
we should worry about. 

"Greece is not up in arms because Las Vegas did Ancient Greece themes in
their casinos. Why are we so precious about things that don't count?" 

The American property developers, Legacy Partners, could not be reached for
comment yesterday. 

http://www.stuff.co.nz/