The waiata sung for Liam Sweeney & John Alder was an emotional and touching tribute to commemorate the sad loss of two fans who were supporting their club
[Just checked earlier posts on this thread and seen that there is some disquiet about lack of respect in observing the minute's silence. I thought the waiata was an unexpected but appropriate tribute from New Zealand. Quite rightly there'll be many minutes of remembrance in the upcoming football season but we have provided a local and heart-felt tribute to the loss of two football fans]
If there is ever anything remotely "cultural" at a football match you can guarantee some old white person will come on here and complain.
As one of the white people who "complained" I would like to point out that I have also said the waiata was very good. I am not complaining about the culture at all. And frankly, to drag up the accusation that that is what this is about is (a) missing the point, and (b) somewhat disingenuous...
As has been pointed out what people took offence to was that the minute's silence was disrespected. As I have said already had the waiata been before, or indeed after the minute's silence, or as Jono said if the minute's silence had not be introduced as a minute's silence, but as a minute's tribute, then there would have been no issue.
However it WAS introduced as a minute's silence, and I was therefore offended that anyone, not just the group singing the waiata, were not silent.There are cultural values surrounding the traditions of a minute's silence, and I felt those cultural values were trodden on. Respect for cultural mores should surely not just be a one way street?
Other's have pointed out that there have been other tributes throughout the tour, but that misses the point as well. This was the only minute's silence during the tour that I have been present at, and, as well as having value with respect intending to flow towards John and Liam, their families and the NUFC community, it was ALSO more than that... it my personal opportunity to reflect, and pay my resepcts.... I felt I was robbed of that opportunity and I was embarrassed by the lack of respect shown to the minute's silence.
Clearly different people saw it differently. I just wanted to speak up and register that some people thought it was not okay.