20 July 2010 15:00
Mass haka to attempt Guinness World Record
Put a bunch of rugby-loving Kiwis together for a while, and you’re bound to witness a rousing Maori haka at some stage. And that’s just what thousands of South Islanders are planning to do come 3pm on 11 September - marking one year to go until the 2011 Rugby World Cup - as they attempt to shatter the Guinness World Record for the world’s biggest haka
sport@newzealandtimes.co.uk
Communities throughout Te Tau Ihu - the northern half of New Zealand’s South Island - have been invited to gather on Tahunahui Beach, Nelson, to perform the famous ‘Ka mate, Ka mate’ haka.
Haka organiser Mike Elkington says that the local Maori tribe has formed a group to ensure that they break the current world record - which was set by 3,264 people in Ngaruawahia, in the North Island, on 16 February, 2008.
As the September 11 date also commemorates the anniversary of the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centre, there will be a minute's silence before the haka to acknowledge American visitors to New Zealand, and remember the victims of the attacks.
The world’s biggest haka attempt will be a fantastic opportunity for New Zealand to share its Maori culture with a wider global audience, Mike Elkington says.
"The haka is our way of gathering our energy to welcome the world, readying ourselves for all that we are going to offer the world. We want everyone coming to the ‘land of the long white cloud’ next year to hear our combined voices, welcoming them as they prepare to journey to New Zealand."
Although the ‘Ka mate’ haka - first performed in public by the New Zealand Native team before an international rugby match in 1888 - is most often performed by men, a women’s version will also be performed at Tahunanui Beach.
According to the iwi that has formed the roopu the ‘Ka mate, Ka mate’ haka was chosen because of its historical significance, as it represents a celebration of all that is good about being a modern day New Zealander.
The ‘Ka mate, Ka mate’ haka - made famous by the All Blacks - was composed in the early 19th century by a Maori warrior chief called Te Rauparaha.
Te Rauparaha was fleeing an enemy tribe that was seeking retribution for a wrong he had committed. As he was chased across the central plateau of the North Island, fellow chief Te Wharerangi helped him hide in a pit, and then instructed his wife to sit at the pit entrance.
After the enemy had moved on, Te Rauparaha emerged from the pit. To celebrate his lucky escape in front of Te Wharerangi and his people, he performed ‘Ka mate, Ka mate’, which he had composed while hiding.
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