In his target article, Professor Raumati Hook (2009) has harnessed the power of science and politics to ask questions about the ‘discovery’ of the ‘warrior gene’ in a small number of Māori. Hook however, begins his paper with the seemingly casual dismissal of explanations for the high rate of Māori acts of violence. The present commentary begins with a look into genetic science and then returns to explanations, asking ‘what’s the problem?’ when it comes to Māori and violence.