A British tourist has been seriously injured after being hit by a sword during a traditional Maori welcome in New Zealand. The man suffered a broken jaw and deep cuts to his face after being hit by the ceremonial taiaha spear while watching the spectacle in Paihia, on the North Island’s Bay of Islands.
The New Zealand Herald quotes local police sergeant Brian Swann as saying: “When the guy does the challenge, he swings the taiaha over his head like a helicopter.” The tourist, who has not been named, was taken to Whangarei Hospital suffering deep cuts to the lip, a broken jaw and several loose teeth.
King’s Dolphin Cruises and Tours, the local tour company that organised the display, has now told all performers that they should keep at least three metres away from spectators. A spokesman for the company told the New Zealand Herald that the performer was “absolutely shattered” by what had happened.
