Latest news with #KiaOra
The Guardian
28-03-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Running shoe brand Hoka accused of misappropriating Māori culture
Popular sportswear company Hoka has been accused of failing to acknowledge the Māori origins of its name by Indigenous intellectual property experts in New Zealand, making it the latest in a string of global brands to be accused of misappropriating Māori culture. The French American firm, which specialises in running shoes, takes its name from the Māori word hoka, meaning 'to fly'. Its logo, a bird in flight, mirrors the word's meaning, as does its tagline 'fly, human, fly'. In its early days, the company attributed its name – which was then Hoka One One, loosely meaning 'to fly over the earth' in Māori – to the 'ancient Māori language'. That attribution disappeared from its 'about' section after Deckers Brands took ownership in 2012. The brand now makes no mention of the name's origin on its website. 'If they don't want to associate themselves as being a Māori word – they need to stop using it,' said Lynell Tuffery Huria, who is recognised as the first Māori patent attorney and is a leading expert on Indigenous intellectual property rights. 'Why are you using that word if you're not prepared to acknowledge its whakapapa [origin] and its history and to engage with the Indigenous people from which the word comes from?' she asked. Hoka has not responded to the Guardian's requests for comment. Māori words, concepts and motifs – be they tattoo, design or art – are often rich in meaning and history, and their use is frequently governed by a set of protocols, or tikanga. Not observing tikanga risks undermining Māori culture, and puts brands at risk of being challenged, Tuffery Huria said. In recent years, a number of international brands have faced criticism for using Māori words and imagery. In 2020, Formula One driver Fernando Alonso's clothing line was accused of cashing in on Māori culture. A year later, a UK carpet company was criticised for using Māori culture to sell carpet. Gaming companies have come under fire for using Māori tattoos on their characters, while social media companies have faced outrage for creating Māori facial tattoo filters. In New Zealand, Air New Zealand prompted outrage when it attempted to trademark an image of the Māori greeting 'Kia Ora' in 2019. That same year, a cruise ship company was forced to apologise after its staff dressed up in wildly inaccurate Māori costumes to perform a greeting for its guests. Beer companies have similarly faced backlash for using Māori ancestors on their bottles. Tuffery Huria is not against brands using Māori words, as long as they have followed best practice, including consulting with Indigenous communities. 'We want to share our culture, we want to share our language, we want to share our narratives … but it needs to be respected and protected in a manner that's consistent with how we view it.' Two of Hoka's shoe styles – Arahi and Hopara – also take their names from Māori. Hopara should be spelled hōpara, and means 'to explore'. Arahi can mean 'to lead' and, in some contexts, its use is considered sacred, says Dr Karaitiana Taiuru, a leading intellectual property rights expert. 'By putting something sacred on your feet, or on your shoes, it's kind of saying you have got no respect for the culture. That's quite offensive,' Taiuru said, adding that it would be akin to putting an image of a royal family member on the bottom of his shoe. A Hoka video on social media from 2019 shows a Māori musician teaching viewers how to pronounce the brand's name correctly, during Māori language week. But in the company's more recent videos, the word Hoka and it's Māori-named shoe styles, are mispronounced. Hoka should, at a minimum, pronounce its own name correctly, Taiuru said. 'By not doing it, that shows a huge amount of disrespect.' There is a very fine line between appropriation and appreciation of cultures, Taiuru said, and the best way brands such as Hoka can honour Indigenous cultures is to consult with them. 'If you're going to use someone else's culture for your own product, you should at least know what the value of that cultural item is and acknowledge it.'
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Yahoo
Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers a spectacular summer escape
Mar. 24—AMARILLO — With uncertainty surrounding national parks this summer, travelers seeking breathtaking landscapes and outdoor adventures can find a spectacular alternative at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. As the second-largest canyon in the United States, stretching approximately 120 miles long and 20 miles wide, this Texas treasure offers awe-inspiring views, diverse ecosystems and a peaceful retreat. This year also marks a major milestone for Doves Rest Cabins, the premier lodging destination on the rim of Palo Duro Canyon, as it celebrates 10 years of providing unforgettable stays. Blending outdoor adventure with unmatched comfort, Doves Rest Cabins is renowned for its signature "Kia Ora" service, inspired by New Zealand's Māori principle of Manaaki, which emphasizes generosity, care and deep respect for nature, a news release said. "Palo Duro Canyon is one of the most stunning natural wonders in the U.S., and as a state park, it offers reliable access for travelers looking to explore its rugged beauty," Sharyn Means, CEO of Doves Rest Cabins, said in the release. "At Doves Rest Cabins, we provide a sanctuary where guests can take in the canyon's grandeur while enjoying the warmth of our Texas hospitality and Kiwi-inspired service." Doves Rest Cabins offers a range of accommodations that blend luxury with nature. Each cabin features panoramic views, modern amenities and a peaceful escape for families, couples and solo travelers alike. Whether seeking adventure or relaxation, guests will find Doves Rest Cabins to be the perfect base for exploring Palo Duro Canyon. Visitors can fully immerse themselves in the natural beauty and adventure of Palo Duro Canyon. With over 30 miles of scenic trails, the state park offers excellent opportunities for hiking and biking, catering to various skill levels. For those looking to experience the canyon from a different perspective, guided horseback riding tours provide a unique and unforgettable journey through the rugged terrain. Photographers and wildlife enthusiasts can capture breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, dramatic rock formations and an array of local wildlife, including mule deer, roadrunners and wild turkeys. After a day of exploration, guests can unwind in Doves Rest Cabins' exclusive massage therapy teepee, offering a serene retreat. During the summer, visitors can also enjoy the TEXAS Outdoor Musical at the Pioneer Amphitheater, showcasing the stories, struggles and triumphs of early settlers under the Texas sky. Doves Rest Cabins' 10th anniversary is more than just a milestone — it's a testament to a decade of excellence in hospitality. With a commitment to sustainability, cultural connection and unforgettable guest experiences, the resort continues to set the standard for luxury lodging in the Texas Panhandle. Whether it's a weekend getaway, family vacation, corporate retreat or destination wedding, Doves Rest Cabins invites travelers to experience Palo Duro Canyon like never before. For more information or to book a stay, visit or follow @dovesrestcabins on Instagram.
Forbes
24-03-2025
- Forbes
Air New Zealand Business Premier Embraces The Māori Spirit Of Kia Ora
Air New Zealand flies direct from LAX to Auckland. The literal translation of 'Kia Ora,' the traditional greeting of New Zealand's indigenous Māori people, is 'be well.' It's how you're welcomed on to any Air New Zealand flight but is especially brought to life in the airline's Business Premier cabin, where the seats, service and food are all thoughtfully designed for long, comfortable flights. I recently took advantage of Air New Zealand's sale and booked a direct flight from Los Angeles to Auckland to embark on a bucket list Princess cruise through New Zealand. I splurged on Business Premier because, at this point in my life, I can't do long-haul international flights without a lie flat seat if I want to be able to function when I arrive at my destination. And, since the flight time clocks in at almost 13 hours and arrives before sunrise, I needed to be able to spend a full day sightseeing without collapsing. Happily, I was able to do just that. Here's why: The lie-flat seat is so comfortable. People seem to have very mixed feelings about these seats and I get it. The angled configuration is a little awkward, with everyone's feet sticking out into the aisles but, honestly, the lie-flat version is so comfortable, I couldn't care less that it may not be the most private seating. I was able to actually sleep for many hours and, on a long flight like this one, that's everything to me. Note: I sat in the window seat in the last row of business class, which gave me more privacy because there was no one on one side of me. I think part of what makes the lie-flat seat so good is the padding they put on top of it. It's so plush, it's almost mattress-like, unlike some other airlines where the pad, if any, is so thin, you can feel every bend and space in the seat. This actually felt like a real, flat bed and I wish every business class service would take note. The ottoman at each Air New Zealand Business Premier seat allows you to have a meal with your traveling companion. I also liked that each seat had an ottoman that was usable all the time. That meant I could keep my feet up even during take-off and landing and, if we wanted to, my friend and I could eat meals together with one of us sitting on the ottoman and the folding table opened between us. What really surprised me was that the Business Premier seat on my three hour return flight from Sydney (where the cruise ended) to Auckland (where I took the direct flight back to LAX) was the same. It was such a nice treat to have the same level of service on this short flight. The Air New Zealand crew provides impeccable service. Because you can't make up your bed yourself, it's not easy to switch back and forth between sitting and napping but the flight attendants understand this and are ready to help whenever. Service on all my Air New Zealand flights was impeccable. The flight attendants, in their cheery purple uniforms, were friendly and personable, constantly offering beverages and snacks. The Business Premier menu gives you a taste of New Zealand. The food and drink options in Business Premier were plentiful and delicious and filled with the flavors of New Zealand. Having become a big fan of Manuka honey during my visit, I was thrilled to be able to get one more taste with the scrumptious dessert. I tend to skip the main dinner course on late night flights because it's just too heavy but I fully enjoyed the warm bread, tasty salad and ice cream. Snacks were available in the galley all night and my lemon and ricotta hotcakes breakfast was rich and hearty, accompanied by a banana, coconut and mango smoothie. Free wifi is an Air New Zealand Business Premier perk. I love when an airline offers free wifi — not just free messaging but the whole worldwide web — and I don't understand how this is not standard practice at this point. It was so helpful to be able to check emails during the long flights and I would have streamed some of my own movie/TV show downloads on my phone but there was plenty to keep me occupied on Air New Zealand's entertainment system. Convenient outlets ensured my phone was charged and ready to go when we landed — as was I, thanks to the amenity kit. The Air New Zealand Business Premier amenity kit. I was intrigued by the design of the Business Premier amenity kit, which looked like a folded paper bag. I appreciated the focus on sustainability and the fact that it contained skincare products from local brand, Aotea. My only issue with it was that there was no eye mask — something I took for granted would be available so I didn't bring my own. Lesson learned and, thanks to the super comfortable seats, I was able to sleep soundly even though the person in the seat in front of me kept his window shade open for most of the flight. My journey on Air New Zealand so reflected the hospitality of the destination itself that I can't wait to experience both again soon.
