A top New Zealand Davis Cup tennis player has issued an apology after he was filmed supposedly mocking Mãori culture while at a party on a $21 million dollar boat owned by toy giant Zuru founder Nick Mowbray on Wednesday night.
Ajeet Rai, 22, will reportedly be sanctioned by Tennis New Zealand after videos showing him and several other partygoers performing the pukana while using a stick as a taiaha was posted to social media by Belgian DJ Netsky. Both Rai and Netsky have since apologised for the video. The video has now been removed.
The video appeared to have been filmed as part of New Zealand’s America’s Cup victory on Wednesday, but since Rai was performing neither a haka nor a waiata in the video, there had been no explanation as to why he would have been performing the pukana.
Rai in an Instagram post on Friday apologised to anyone who might have been hurt by his actions, saying that as a representative of New Zealand, he had always been nothing but proud to perform the haka and to also show the rest of the world the beauty of the country’s indigenous culture.
Tennis New Zealand shortly after the incident posted a social media entry of its own to Instagram, saying that the organisation was disappointed at the behaviour displayed by Rai in the video, and that the appropriate sanctions would be applied.
The organisation first became aware of the video after it had been sent in the form of a link to Tennis NZ by Shaneel Lal, who is the co-founder of End Conversion Therapy NZ.
| # | Site | Bonus | Bet | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Betway |  | 5/5 | Up to $60 NZD | Bet now Review |
More About Trent Wilson
Trent Wilson is OnlineBetting.nz’s resident sports news expert. He draws on his extensive sporting knowledge, his qualification in sports management and his passion for betting to provide the latest, most up to date information on sporting events in New Zealand and across the globe. Trent is a veritable treasure trove of sports information and has been betting online for several years. He prides himself in keeping his readers informed, and in always offering an unbiased standpoint that reflects exactly what’s going on in the sports world.
View Posts - Visit WebsiteYou May Also Like:
Davis Cup A Disgrace Says Tennis Legend
Aussie tennis legend Todd Woodbridge has referred to the Davis Cup as a “disgrace”. Woodbridge’s comments came following drama surrounding a controversial decision over which country will be replacing Russia in this year’s finals. Following the recent expulsion of Russia after the country’s invasion of Ukraine, the decision was made ….
Andy Murray Misses Out On Big 700 In Dubai
With the Dubai Championships in full swing in the UAE, former champion Andy Murray will have to hold out a little longer for his 700th career win. Murray recently suffered a straight-sets defeat at the hands of Italy’s Jannik Sinner, while world No. 1 Novak Djokovic reached the quarter finals ….
Djokovic Back In Action In Dubai
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is officially back in action following his controversy-fuelled deportation from Australia in January. Djokovic on Monday reached the second round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships when he beat wildcard entry Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-3. The victory marked the Serb’s first match of 2022. ….
Djokovic “Welcome” To Play In Italian Open
Tennis world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who has declared himself willing to miss out on future Grand Slams because of his vaccination status, could be permitted to compete in this year’s Italian Open in Rome. Italy’s cabinet secretary for sports, Valentina Vezzali, announced this week that the Serbian will be ….
Djokovic Says He’ll Remain Unvaccinated
Tennis world No. 1 Novak Djokovic has now declared himself willing to forfeit the chance to be crowned the sport’s GOAT – as well as winning any further Grand Slam titles. Speaking to a prominent English news broadcaster this week, the Serb said while he did not wish to be ….