Controversy surrounding the swearing-in of Te Pāti Māori MPs on Monday has spread like a bad rash across international media outlets.
A number of the party's MPs didn't follow the script, swearing allegiance to "Kīngi harehare" instead of the expected "Kīngi Tiāre" at Tuesday's ceremony.
According to the Māori Dictionary, harehare can mean a "skin rash" or "eczema". It can mean something objectionable, but Waititi told media afterwards it was just another name for Charles.
"Those are the words we use on the coast."
But New Zealand First MP Shane Jones claimed Te Pāti Māori knew of the second meaning.
"They are trying to make fun of the transliteration Hare, which if said as harehare is kind of a transliteration of Charlie, but it also means something objectionable."
News of the word controversy spread quickly to international news outlets, particularly UK tabloids.
The Daily Mail's headline read "Maori MPs 'mockingly swear allegiance to King Charles by calling him King Skin Rash' at the opening of New Zealand parliament".
The National took the supposed skin rash to its natural consequence with their headline; "King Charles called a 'scab' by Maori MPs in New Zealand parliament".
The UK's Telegraph reported, "Maori MPs call Charles ‘King Skin Rash’ at opening of parliament".
The Mirror announced "Maori MPs accused of covertly calling King Charles a 'skin rash' at opening of Parliament".
With Waititi and Ngarewa-Packer denying they meant offence, the room for interpretation has left X users itchy for the truth.
Dr Rawiri Taonui, a regular Māori media commentator, tweeted: FACT CHECK: Did Te Pāti Māori abuse King Charles by calling him Harehare? An ill-informed RNZ over-rely on a good but limited online Māori Dictionary. Transliterations of Pākehā names vary between tribes & hapū. Hare & Harehare are not uncommon. Do better.
One user, sharing the Telegraph's article on the incident, Tweeted "An appalling lack of respect for the Crown. Disgraceful."
Another user demanded "The Maori Party must NOT be allowed to sit in Parliament until they recite the proper oath, without insulting HRH King Charles."
Buckingham Palace has so far declined to comment when contacted about the possible faux pas.
Te Pāti Māori also supported nationwide protests on Tuesday against the new government's policies.
