Hokianga haka exponent spreads culture in London

KIWI COOL: Haka Works provides haka workshops for BT, Vodafone, ICI and News UK. PHOTO/KI PRICE

You wouldn't expect to find a Hokianga man doing the haka in the rain at 7am under the glow of London's Piccadilly Circus.

But Jamie Pou, 31, was one of three kapa haka performers leading 30 business people in the British Haka for Business, which launched Global Entrepreneurship Week on Monday morning.

The Ngapuhi and Te Rarawa man was a long way from Rawene Primary School, where he first started kapa haka, before going on to join Te Roopu Ara Whanui kapa haka group at Northland College.

He moved to London in 2012 to further his career in banking.

"That's where I got involved in Ngati Ranana, a London-based kapa haka group, and have been lucky enough to travel all over the world for performances."

It was through that UK Maori group that he met fellow Kiwi and corporate lawyer Karl Burrows, and joined Haka Works, which provides haka workshops for corporate clients. Haka Works has worked with large corporations such as BT, Vodafone, ICI and News UK.

The British Haka for Business was performed on the steps of the Eros Statue, having been organised by PR guru Richard Hillgrove of Hillgrove Public Relations, who is of Danish and Maori descent.

The agency has represented BBC Dragons' Den stars and a number of Channel 4's Secret Millionaires.

"The haka was originally performed by Maori warriors before a battle, enhancing their strength and prowess to intimidate the opposition; similar to what needs to happen in business in this ever-competitive global business arena," Mr Hillgrove said.

This was the first time the haka was performed at the London location, said Mr Pou.

"It was a really cool event and the guys we were teaching were all keen and enthusiastic about learning about Maori culture, the hongi and the meaning of the haka."

Mr Pou's hapu are Ngai Tupoto, Ngati Korokoro, Ngati Hau, Ngati Kaharau and Te Kumutu.

He comes home once a year - and always to Hokianga. "Our family have lived in the Northland region since Nukutawhiti arrived from Hawaiki on [waka] Ngatokimatawhaorua," he said.

On Monday's event, he said: "It was a good crowd to teach the haka to, and although their haka skills are still in their infancy, their enthusiasm and respect for Maori culture was really high, which is really important to us."