New Zealand has reclaimed the world record for the most people performing a haka, a traditional dance of the indigenous Māori, surpassing the previous record held by France.
At Auckland’s Eden Park on Sunday, 6,531 people performed the “Ka Mate” haka, surpassing France’s 2014 record of 4,028 participants. Hinewehi Mohi, cultural ambassador for HAKA, emphasized the importance of bringing the record back to New Zealand, the birthplace of the haka, and ensuring it was performed with integrity.
The haka, originally a war dance used to welcome tribes or prepare warriors for battle, is now performed at significant events and by New Zealand’s rugby teams before matches. The version performed during the event, “Ka Mate,” was composed around 1820 by Te Rauparaha, chief of the Ngāti Toa tribe.
While organizers aimed for 10,000 participants, the event was a success, also serving as a fundraiser for the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust. Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner called the sight of thousands of New Zealanders, from children to elders, performing the haka together a “truly memorable moment,” celebrating the country’s cultural heritage.
Almost one million of New Zealand’s 5.2 million people identify as having Māori ancestry.
