Hurricanes Rugby says it can't control the views of one of its owners after he accused a tech entrepreneur of 'sucking up to the left-loving Māori agenda'.
Animation Research founder Sir Ian Taylor reposted a Tom Scott cartoon celebrating New Zealand's success on the water at the Olympics.
The drawing referenced the influence of the original Polynesian sailors.
In his Linked In post Sir Ian wrote that the cartoon was a 'wonderful message' to people calling for a referendum on the name Aotearoa.
But Wellington businessman and Hurricanes board member Troy Bowker took serious issue with it - calling the post a load of absolute nonsense, before suggesting Sir Ian was sucking up to Māori and denying his European heritage. He finished by questioning how "Māori" Sir Ian really was.
Hurricanes fans have taken to social media saying they won't attend future games while Bowker is on the board.
Sir Ian told RNZ's Māori News Director Māni Dunlop that trying to convince Bowker of mātauranga, or Māori knowledge, may be a waste of time.
Bowker says he stands by his comments.
In a statement, Hurricanes chair, Iain Potter, says it doesn't support the remarks in question.
But he says as a part owner of the Hurricanes, Bowker is entitled to a director's role and consequently, the club are not in a position to control his opinions.
