When can New Zealand perform the 'Haka'?

Question

Does there need to be a Maowri in the team/on the bench so they can perform the Haka or can they perform it without an official Maowri in the immediate team?

Answer 1

The Haka has become world famous through its use by the 'All Blacks' prior to each of their international rugby matches. However, there are many types of Haka used for many different reasons. While the Haka is indeed an integral part of Maori culture, there is no cultural prohibition on it being performed by non-Maoris. The key is to understand the heritage and meaning behind the Haka and to treat it with the cultural respect it deserves. Non-Maoris who perform the Haka without understanding the background and without showing due respect would cause deep offence.

You also need to understand that in the past performing a Haka was not a 'one-sided' event. It was common for there to be a responding Haka. Clearly, given the cultural nature of the Haka, responding Hakas would be performed by other Polynesian/Maori groups, but it would not be considered offensive for any group to respond to the Haka by performing their own form of 'challenge'. As I said before, the issue is not the race or culture of the people performing the Haka or the responding Haka but the level of respect being shown for the process.

There are two links below. One will take you through the history and explain the importance of the Haka to Maori and New Zealanders in general. When you get to the linked webpage, click on the 'Launch the Haka Feature' icon.

The other will show you that the Haka can be responded to without offence.

By the way the word is MAORI; there is no 'w'.

Answer 2

This whole business is firing up war of words! The haka is a great rugby tradition, but in every ground all over the world, the home team always has the last say before KO, IE they sing their anthem last! So why should the Nz have it different? They would not like it in their own back yard to be told wot to do! The WRU told NZRU in October that the haka would be preformed in between the two anthems! The AB's then changed their mind on Saturday! The haka, as a tradition, is a war dance that is meant to be responded to, so if the AB's want to stick to tradition, why the hell will they not let any team respond to the haka before KO?

Answer 3

If there had to be an official Maori in the team they wouldn't be able to perform it at all. There is no such thing as a true maori anymore. The closest there is at present time is a quarter maori, and there is only one of those now.
The Haka is a traditional Maori war dance, it is performed to ward off evil spirits, in the case of international Rugby it is a symbol of the culture, passion and pride of playing for New Zealand and as a "scare tactic" to the opposing team.

Answer 4

The Haka has been adopted by many national sports in New Zealand and a Maori makes no difference.

Answer 5

The All Blacks have performed the Haka since they toured the British Isles in1905 regardless of if there's a Maori in the side or not, these days the All Blacks contain Samoans, Fijians and Tongans in their sides as well as Maori

Answer 6

Tana lead the Haka a few times, he was tongan

Answer 7

Well after the weeknds debacle in wales , id say it will be performed before every match except when they play wales in wales

Answer 8

any time before a game.and they always have a native Maori on the team

Answer 9

at the start of any rugby game apart from welsh ones

Answer 10

also at a ceremony its performed not just matches