In haka as in life, play the ball not the person

In haka as in life, play the ball not the person

Comment: There is a principle I have always valued in sport and in public life. It is simple in wording but demanding in practice. Play the ball, not the person. It means we can be strong in contest, firm in disagreement, and passionate in expression, while still holding a boundary that protects the dignity of others. We focus on actions, ideas, and decisions, not on identity itself. I learned this through sport long before I entered Parliament.…