Nationwide call to reclaim the Haka World Record

The haka is an undeniably powerful and significant part of Māori culture that has merged and interlinked Aotearoa New Zealand’s identity today.

Within Māori environments, it’s performed for various reasons and at a range of events including competitions or festivals such as Te Matatini, ceremonies, and celebrations, weddings, birthdays, tangihanga (funerals), to honour someone with prestige, or more simply as emotional expression.

In pre-colonial times, haka were composed in preparation for battle, or to commemorate significant events, people, or places. And much like how they are still performed, it was a way in which intense feelings were spirited.

The last century has seen haka popularised by our nation's rugby union and rugby league teams where it is a staple pre-match ritual for both the men’s and women’s sides. Even the Tall Blacks, Black Sox, and White Sox have specially composed haka.

Thanks to Māori tourism, global Kapa Haka tours, Māori living worldwide, and our travelling sports teams, haka has gained international recognition, appreciation, and unfortunately, appropriation.

It is lyrical rhythms accompanied by postural actions and guttural sounds that invigorate the mauri (life force) of haka, bringing forth the essence of indigenous storytelling.

So how is it that the current Guinness World Record title for the largest haka is held by 4028 people from France?

To change that, a campaign called HAKA Stand as a Nation, in collaboration with Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, The Māori Language Commission is calling for “10,000 strong” individuals of all cultural backgrounds to set the record straight and “bring Haka home”.

Cultural Ambassador for HAKA and co-founder of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, Dame Hinewehi Mohi DNZM. (Ngāti Kahungunu/Ngāi Tūhoe) says it is set to be a “landmark occasion” of unity.

“Haka is a unique symbol of Aotearoa, it is undeniably ours and it is recognised and revered around the world, we need to bring this record back home.”

France claimed the world haka record in 2014 from a 3264-person performance set in Ngāruawāhia in 2008.

Despite numerous attempts in the past decade to take it back, especially in 2016 by 6000 people in Masterton and by about 7700 in Rotorua, neither were officiated by Guinness World Records.

Thousands of people flooded the Rotorua Village Green in 2017 for the world record attempt that was later negated by Guiness World Records. Photo/SunLive

This unique celebration of Māori culture is also supported by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, The Eden Park Trust, One New Zealand, Go Media, Aktive, and Les Mills.

Tumu Whakahaere at Te Taura Whiri Ngahiwi Apanui-Barr (Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau a-Apanui, Ngāti Hine) has put his full support behind the event.

"HAKA is a great way for all New Zealanders to engage with te reo Māori.

"Haka is unique to our country, and we are proud to support this kaupapa and return the world record to the place the haka belongs."

Dame Hinewehi Mohi DNZM. Photo/Jane Ussher

"We’ve already sold more than 4000 participant tickets but we want to smash this record not just break it," Mohi says.

"We also want to fill the stands at Eden Park with spectators, so we are calling on everyone to get behind us and be a part of this record attempt."

A call for a symbolic showcase of cultural pride, to stand shoulder to shoulder and perform one of the most renowned haka Ka Mate, composed by Ngāti Toa Rangatira Chief of the 1760s, Te Rauparaha.

The campaign’s website states permission to use Ka Mate has been granted and as the event will take place at Eden Park, Tāmaki Makaurau, respective iwi have given their blessings.

"HAKA-Stand As A Nation has the full support of Ngāti Toa Rangatira, whose chief Te Rauparaha composed Ka Mate and the blessing of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei mana whenua, in Tāmaki Makaurau."

They have also released instructional videos for proper men’s and women’s actions.

The record-breaking occasion is bringing together a stellar line-up of NZ’s finest musicians who represent the breadth of our country’s bilingual artists namely Anika Moa, Che Fu, Corrella, Kings, Ria Hall, Rob Ruha, Majic, Hollie Smith, Paige, Shepherds Reign, Tami Neilson, and the Topp Twins.

In celebration of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, ticket prices have dropped for the duration of the week, costing either $5 or $10. Depending on if the individual wants to be among the 10,000 haka performers or spectate and support from the stands.

Mohi says, “HAKA is more than just an event.

“It is a powerful statement of national pride, cultural heritage, unity and a landmark occasion to create a new world record and reclaim the title from the current holders, the French.

“We are thrilled that Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori has enabled us to offer these promotional prices on tickets so that more New Zealanders can take part.”

HAKA-Stand as a Nation starts at 6pm, 29 September 2024 at Eden Park. Tickets can be found here.