Basketball NZ has controversially decided to drop the English verse of the New Zealand national anthem for the Tall Blacks' World Cup qualifying game against Lebanon in Rotorua tonight.
The move comes as international basketball (FIBA) clamps down on its pre-game schedule, which allows each country just one minute for their national anthem.
New Zealand is the only nation to receive an extra minute for the Tall Blacks to perform their 'Tū Kaha O Pango Te Kahikatea' haka, but that still doesn't leave enough time to accommodate both English and Māori verses of the anthem.
- Corey Webster into Tall Blacks for Lebanon clash
- Tall Blacks cruise to victory over Syria in World Cup qualifier
"We understand where FIBA are coming from and the fact that we have one more minute than any other team in the world is a privilege, not a right," says Basketball NZ chief executive Iain Potter.
"It's important we respect that rule and the opposition too.
"Cutting Tū Kaha was not an option. We're likely to alternate the English and Māori versions of the anthem at FIBA matches, and sing the full version when the rules allow.
"We feel this is the only way to honour both versions of our anthem and our haka."
Last week, New Zealand celebrated Māori Language Week and Potter said that had some bearing on the decision to choose 'E Ihowā Atua' this time.
Monday's game looms as a top-of-the-table clash, with the Tall Blacks and Lebanon carrying identical six-win/one-loss records atop their FIBA Asia qualifying group.
Newshub.
