3 May 2010

Curse put on tobacco manufacturers

6:18 pm on 3 May 2010

A tohunga is taking the anti-smoking campaign to a new level by putting a curse on tobacco manufacturers.

Amster Reedy from Ngati Porou has served as a cultural adviser to many groups, including the New Zealand team to the Beijing Olympics.

Waatea News reports he unleashed the makutu in response to industry submissions to an inquiry by the Maori Affairs parliamentary select committee into tobacco.

Mr Reedy said industry representatives seemed to be saying they reserve the right to sell their drug to the poor, the black and the stupid.

He said the makutu is a potent tool for change from traditional Maori culture which should not be ignored.