The Māori Council threatened Air New Zealand with boycott for attempting to trademark 'Kia Ora' logo

CNN: "Air New Zealand's attempts to trademark a logo of a common Māori greeting has sparked anger and threats of a boycott from the Māori community.

The Māori phrase "kia ora," which translates literally as "be well," is widely used across the country to mean "hello."

Air New Zealand said that it wanted to trademark a logo of the phrase, which is also the name of its inflight magazine.

Matthew Tukaki, a spokesman for the The Māori Council, called the "harebrained" idea "an absolute disgrace" in a video statement posted online.

Tukaki, executive chairman for the council, said that Air New Zealand routinely "culturally misappropriate not only our symbols but now also our language," noting that the move also came during Māori Language Week. [...]

"I'm prepared to walk into the court and make a point if I need to," he added.

In a statement sent to CNN, Air New Zealand said it wanted to trademark the logo, and not the phrase itself. [...]"

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