Puha and Pakeha explained

Puha and Pakeha
Cover:Puha and Pakeha.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Rod Derrett
Released:1965
Recorded:1965
Genre:Novelty, Comedy
Length:3:17
Label:EMI (His Master's Voice)

"Puha and Pakeha" is a 1960s New Zealand novelty song, written and performed by Rod Derrett. Darkly humorous in nature, it is about Māori people in early New Zealand preparing 'boil-up' meals of pūhā (a leafy vegetable that grows in the wild) and Pākehā (New Zealanders of European descent).

In 2004, a complaint was laid with the Broadcasting Standards Authority that the song was culturally insensitive to Pākehā. In its ruling, the BSA said that it could not be interpreted as such, and that it was "clearly humorous".[1]

The song was re-released on iTunes in October 2012 to promote the comedy horror film Fresh Meat.[2]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Puha and Pakeha just a song. NZ Herald. December 30, 2004. September 27, 2012.
  2. News: Fresh Meat not for the squeamish. Stuff.co.nz. September 27, 2012. September 27, 2012.