New Zealand Rugby Federation are ordering a KVRA, a Brazilian company to remove a fern from a BJJ Gi being marketed globally online.
The “haka kimono” features the fern and Maori-inspired motifs in its black and white design which are the trademark of the new Zealand All Black Rugby team, famous for their famous Haka War Dance.
New Zealand Rugby have trademarked the silver fern and have protected that over the years. The silver fern is also used in the marketing of the kimono which sell for more than $250 online.
New Zealand Rugby confirmed they will ask for the fern to be removed by the Brazilian company.
Maori experts have also questioned the use of a moko on a skull in the uniform’s design, believing that could be offensive.
