Haka world record attempt at Kaiapoi

As mentioned in an earlier post, the idea of world records is massively appealing.

It seems 2,174 people agree: that record-breaking number performed the haka at Kaiapoi yesterday, during Waitangi Day celebrations in North Canterbury. Despite many giving up in frustration at the long queue to join the haka performance, the number of participants broke the existing record – set in Auckland in 2006 by 1,400 people.

Incidentally, the New Zealand haka is an ancient Maori dance, made famous today around the world by our boys in black: the All Blacks. It’s fair to say the haka has become a cultural phenonmenon in its own right, performed with pride by Maori and non-Maori alike.

The event was organised by the Te Roopu O Tane Mahuta Trust and featured the launch of a waka on the Kaiapoi River, hip hop music entertainment and performers from other cultures.

Find out more about Maori culture in the NZS.com directory.

Image from Flickr.

Ta Moko: A uniquely NZ tattoo phenomenon

The native people of New Zealand, the Maori, have a tradition of tattooing called Ta Moko. It has become famous probably because it is often on the face, and also for its striking designs. Recently there has been a resurgence of people wearing Moko on their face, with some quite prominent figures starting to wear them.

There are a few websites that have explanations of the cultural background of Ta Moko and also a few with some practitioners of the art form.

You can find out more about our unique Maori culture in the NZS.com directory.