The New Zealand Maori rugby team's new haka has been given the thumbs up from Rotorua cultural experts.
The haka, which has been three years in the making, was performed for the first time last night before the New Zealand Maori side's 43-24 win over Argentina in Rotorua.
Wetini Mitai-Ngatai, leader of
the country's top Maori cultural group Te Matarae I Orehu, approved of the new haka because the words were original to the team.
The new haka retained some aspects of the traditional Ka Mate challenge but gave the New Zealand Maori side its own identity.
The male performers of Te Matarae I Orehu, including Mr Mitai-Ngatai, accompanied the team to perform the challenge.
"Ka Mate has been around for a long time but gone are the days when you have to use the same things. I like the words of the new haka because it's composed for that team in particular," Mr Mitai-Ngatai said.
Haka expert Mita Mohi, who also welcomed the new haka, said it would be particularly pleasing for some South Island iwi.
Mr Mohi said Ka Mate was composed by Maori chief, Te Rauparaha, who was involved in the slaughtering of South Island Maori over a hundred years ago.
He said some people resented Ka Mate because of what Te Rauparaha did during the Maori wars.
New Zealand Maori coach Matt Te Pou said the new haka spoke about youth, the beginning of time from a Maori perspective and coming out of the darkness.
The team felt it was appropriate to unveil the new haka in Rotorua because the city is considered home for the team, Mr Te Pou said.
- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)
