Here’s how Wikipedia characterizes the term:Karakia are Māori incantations and prayer used to invoke spiritual guidance and protection. The Māori prayer woman kept insisting on reciting the prayer and the mayor kept saying “no”. “Excuse me, just before we start, through the chair may I say the karakia?” Paniora said. “Councillor Paniora, you are not allowed to speak in this manner and we will continue with our meeting.” Jepson said. It’s clear that the article is written to show the hornéd secular mayor as the demon, even though New Zealand is a secular country.

Source: Stuff January 30, 2024 06:00 UTC