All Blacks sign agreement with iwi over haka

The All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images

The All Blacks can continue to intimidate the opposition by performing the haka after months of secret talks over the trademarked traditional dance ended in agreement.

The New Zealand Rugby Union and lower North Island iwi Ngati Toa have signed a memorandum of understanding today acknowledging the All Blacks' right to perform the haka Ka Mate.

The NZRU said no money had changed hands, the Dominion Post reported.

It was not known if Ngati Toa would receive a cut of revenue from advertising using Ka Mate.

Chief executive Steve Tew said the agreement confirmed Ngati Toa's support for the All Blacks' Ka Mate haka.

"It gives the NZRU some certainty regarding its ongoing use of Ka Mate, while at the same time providing some assurances to Ngati Toa that use of the haka will be respectful."

Ngati Toa filed an application to trademark four key phrases of the haka last year, after a bid to gain control of the rights to the entire text of Ka Mate failed.

The NZRU union filed documents of possible opposition to the Intellectual Property Office since then, to allow time to settle a deal with Ngati Toa.

Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira Incorporated Chairman Riki Wineera said Ngati Toa had always taken pride in the All Blacks performing Ka Mate.

The agreement ensured the haka would continue to be performed respectfully, he said.

"Ka Mate is an important part of New Zealand?s cultural history. But above all of this, Ka Mate is a taonga of Ngati Toa Rangatira and we as an iwi have an obligation to protect it. One of the iwi?s long standing concern is that Ka Mate has been used in a belittling and culturally offensive way.

"Fortunately the NZRU respects this position and has agreed to work with us to ensure that the integrity of Ka Mate is protected."

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- NZ Herald staff, NZPA