Bar to keep 'no tattoo' policy

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Bar to keep 'no tattoo' policy
October 4, 2011
By Hayley Hannan
nzherald.co.nz

A Christchurch bar says it will keep its policy to refuse entry to people with facial tattoos despite contravening its own rule and apologising to a man they kicked out because of his moko.

Tunahau Kohu was drinking at The Turf in Parklands on Saturday when staff asked him to leave because of a tribal tattoo covering his entire face.

Formally known as The Parklands Tavern, the bar has recently completed renovations and now has a strict no gang-, neck- or face-tattoo policy.

Mr Kohu said he was shocked when asked to leave and refused, saying his ta moko was a depiction of his genealogy that told the story of his tribe.

He said the policy was unfair as a staff member had a tattoo on her neck, and he'd talked to another patron was allowed to drink at the bar despite his ta moko.

Mr Kohu met bar manager Alan Forsdick after growing social media trumpeted allegations of discrimination, but said he thought the apology offered was all for show.

"The only way out of that one was for him to apologise....There was no meaning in it. It was something that he had to say I believe, it was something he needed to say. The cameras were there. If it was just myself, I think it would be different again.''

Mr Kohu said he wouldn't go back to the bar and would tell others to not go anywhere near the place.

The Turf owner Louis Vieceli said the tattoo policy was about improving standards,javascript:ShowItemDetails(266371) and was still in place at the moment.

"We're most likely going to rethink, I think we'll probably just see what happens in the next 24 hours.''

Mr Vieceli also issued a statement apologising for any embarrassment caused by the incident, and admitted aspects of the signage were badly worded.

He said the bar signage has been altered to say the bar reserves the right of admission.

The premises will ensure that its staff are properly trained and hoped not to have a repeat of the matter.

"Whilst the tavern does have standards, these are not intended to be discriminatory in any way,'' he said.