Headbutted tourist 'disrespectful' of culture
17 January 2006
A Rotorua cultural performer who headbutted a Dutch tourist during a Maori welcome was angry th e man had smirked and looked about during his wero (challenge) to the group.
Richard Mitai-Ngatai, 40, appeared yesterday in Rotorua District Court and was ordered to do 150 hours of community work after pleading guilty last month to assaulting Dutch tourist Johannes Scheffers.
He headbutted Mr Scheffers, breaking his nose during a Maori welcome at the Tamaki Tours village, about 25km south of Rotorua, on November 24 last year.
Speaking after being sentenced yesterday, Mitai-Ngatai said he believed Mr Scheffers was being disrespectful during the challenge, an Auckland newspaper reported today.
"He was disrespecting my culture that I love, a culture I am proud to be a part of," Mitai-Ngatai said.
"I don't apologise for what I did. But I do apologise for hurting a man. What I did was serious. I do know I am lucky I am not in jail because of it."
In court yesterday Judge Chris McGuire convicted Mitai-Ngatai despite pleas by his lawyer not to.
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The court was told that during the challenge, Mitai-Ngatai hit Mr Scheffers in the face with his forehead resulting in a small fracture in his nose and swelling to his eyes.
Police said Mr Scheffers gave a nervous grin with no intention to be disrespectful.
Judge McGuire said while he was swayed by the "glowing references" for Mitai-Ngatai and accepted the feeling he held for his culture, it was important that tourists knew they were safe when they visited.
"This was manuhiri (visitors) from the other side of the world who had paid to experience some of the richness of the culture we in this region are so proud of. Manuhiri must know when they come to Rotorua they are going to be safe."
17 January 2006
A Rotorua cultural performer who headbutted a Dutch tourist during a Maori welcome was angry th e man had smirked and looked about during his wero (challenge) to the group.
Richard Mitai-Ngatai, 40, appeared yesterday in Rotorua District Court and was ordered to do 150 hours of community work after pleading guilty last month to assaulting Dutch tourist Johannes Scheffers.
He headbutted Mr Scheffers, breaking his nose during a Maori welcome at the Tamaki Tours village, about 25km south of Rotorua, on November 24 last year.
Speaking after being sentenced yesterday, Mitai-Ngatai said he believed Mr Scheffers was being disrespectful during the challenge, an Auckland newspaper reported today.
"He was disrespecting my culture that I love, a culture I am proud to be a part of," Mitai-Ngatai said.
"I don't apologise for what I did. But I do apologise for hurting a man. What I did was serious. I do know I am lucky I am not in jail because of it."
In court yesterday Judge Chris McGuire convicted Mitai-Ngatai despite pleas by his lawyer not to.
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The court was told that during the challenge, Mitai-Ngatai hit Mr Scheffers in the face with his forehead resulting in a small fracture in his nose and swelling to his eyes.
Police said Mr Scheffers gave a nervous grin with no intention to be disrespectful.
Judge McGuire said while he was swayed by the "glowing references" for Mitai-Ngatai and accepted the feeling he held for his culture, it was important that tourists knew they were safe when they visited.
"This was manuhiri (visitors) from the other side of the world who had paid to experience some of the richness of the culture we in this region are so proud of. Manuhiri must know when they come to Rotorua they are going to be safe."
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