The Haka and the All Blacks
The haka is a disciplined and emotional expression of the Maori people of New Zealand. It is a message of soul, passion, strength, unity and determination expressed by words and posture.
There are many haka that have been composed, thousands in fact. The haka "Ka Mate" is the most well known haka. It was composed by a famous New Zealand Maori chief by the name of 'Te Rauparaha' in the early 19th century, a time of great change, migration and war for the tribes of New Zealand. Whilst being pursued by his enemies in war, Te Rauparaha took shelter with an ally, Te Wharerangi. Te Rauparaha was hidden, sheltered from the light and his enemy. He used the words of this haka 'Ka Mate' to express his fear, courage, gratitude, strength and determination to live.
Ka mate! Ka mate!
Ka ora, Ka ora!
Ka mate! Ka mate!
Ka ora, Ka ora!
Tenei te tangata puhuruhuru
Nana nei I tiki mai whakawhiti te ra!
Hupane! Kaupane!
Hupane! Kaupane!
Whiti te ra!
I die! I die!
I live! I live!
This is the hairy person
Who fetched the sun
And caused it to shine again
One upward step! Another upward step!
An upward step, another and the sun shines!
The haka "Ka mate" is performed throughout the world and is most commonly recognised when performed by the All Blacks, the New Zealand national rugby football team and other national New Zealand sports teams.
Kapa o Pango - New All Blacks haka
A new haka, called "Kapa o Pango", has been composed by well known artist Derek Llardelli of Ngati Porou, especially for the All Blacks as their own haka. This haka has its roots in a number of classic haka of old times. The words could be translated a number of ways, here is one translation from an All Blacks website.
Kapa o pango kia whakawhenua au i ahau!
Let me become one with the land
Hi aue, hi!
Ko Aotearoa e ngunguru nei!
This is our land that rumbles
Au, au, aue ha!
And it's my time! It's my moment!
Ko Kapa o Pango e ngunguru nei!
This defines us as the All Blacks
Au, au, aue ha!
It's my time! It's my moment!
I ahaha!
Ka tu te ihiihi
Our dominance
Ka tu te wanawana
Our supremacy will triumph
Ki runga ki te rangi e tu iho nei,
tu iho nei, hi!
And will be placed on high
Ponga ra!
Silver fern!
Kapa o Pango, aue hi!
All Blacks!
Ponga ra!
Silver fern!
Kapa o Pango, aue hi, ha!
All Blacks!
Manaia haka workshops
Manaia provides haka workshops, teaching haka including the haka "Ka mate", the history and its significance to Maori people. Please contact us for more information.
