Learn the Maori Haka

An excellent experience.

I have seen a haka dance right in front of my eyes and just thought I would share my happiness with you all, as I am still smiling from ear to ear, it was so great.

Learning the haka takes a very long time.

This part of the Maori Culture should be shared and spread to those who feel this is a great form of expression. The All Blacks made it famous, but the Chants of the Pacific belong to all islands and each one should be free to share what parts of the culture they see fit.

I think this site is fantastic. I'm a white Kiwi wanting to learn Maori, so I will be visiting this site more often. Thank you

I totally agree with Louisa from HI. Why they gotta use the haka to give them mana on the field? At least, use their own mo'o dance or something! The haka is being stretched to the limits all over the show. Our haka is not free to anyone who 'would like to' learn it. There is a process of learning it and it deserves more respect.

This cultural ritual is not just a dance to us Maori people. Our language, chants and stories are sacred and deserve to be respected - not used as a party stunt or to entertain college football fans - the try-hard, wannabes of the University of Hawaii football team - and other American football teams - are stealing our chants WITHOUT permission.



If you want to learn the haka, learn from someone who knows what they are doing (preferably IN Aotearoa) so you learn not just the words and actions but the correct pronunciation and the meaning behind the words. Better yet stick to your own "dances" and leave ours to us!

The Haka is one of the most fierce dances there is. Our college football team does it before every game and it helps bring out the "warriors" in them (after all we are the University of Hawaii Warriors). Aloha.

I'm a kiwi on my exchange year in Europe, a group in my history class is studying the Maoris as a project and they have asked me to help them teach the class the haka! I'm glad to share something from my culture with them..

God...what do you mean it's the first version of "if you're happy and you know it clap your hands"...we don't need to grow up! You are just jealous cuz you're " shakin in your boots".

The first known version of 'If you're happy and you know it clap your hands' - these Kiwis need to grow up.

The haka is something that is sacred to Maori. It is part of a whakanoa process, and without proper understanding, learning it is offensive to the atua (gods) and people. It should be taught holistically and as more than just a dance.

I think the Hakka is a great dance to learn. It's fun and worthwhile so have a go, if you like dancing you'll love this. Very exciting and energetic. Best if you also have a loud voice and a good set of vocals :-)

Hello, i think this is a great dance to learn coz its fun and gives away a lot of energy. i am studying this in school and its great that i know something from a different culture coz im from Australia!!

Agreed! Get into the Haka and you will have the party event of the year, but it takes a 'group' mentality with 5 or more guys before any one of them will be caught dead sticking their tongue out as far as it needs to be in order to be effective! Highly recommended group activity for any gathering!

Reading your experience brought back intense memories. I spent a day with the Maori in Rotorua almost 15 years ago learning the dance... Amazing!

Learning the Haka is an experience that peels away the inhibitions as your own raw animal aggression is channeled into the intricate and powerful synchronised movements of the ritual. Everyone can tap into this primordial display but you can only do it whole-heartedly and with an appetite for the event or else you risk appearing like a half-hearted marionette doing the Macarena.