On Sunday, New Zealand triumphantly regained the world record for the largest mass haka performance, surpassing France's previous achievement. Over 6,000 individuals gathered at Eden Park rugby stadium in Auckland to execute the iconic Maori war dance, characterized by its vigorous movements, stamping feet, and rhythmic shouting. An adjudicator verified that 6,531 participants successfully performed the 'Ka Mate' haka, a traditional challenge made famous by the All Blacks rugby team, who perform it before Test matches.
The world record had been held by France since September 2014, when 4,028 people performed the haka following a rugby match in Brive-la-Gaillarde, southwestern France. Auckland organizers had initially hoped for up to 10,000 participants but were content with reclaiming the record for New Zealand, where the haka is considered a national treasure. 'We want to bring the mana (pride) of the haka back home,' said Michael Mizrahi, director of the Auckland attempt, to AFP. 'It's not just about taking it off the French; it's like a national treasure that has been taken from us. It holds enormous meaning for us as New Zealanders.'
Previous attempts involving crowds of over 5,000 in New Zealand failed to be ratified by Guinness World Records officials. This time, an adjudicator was specifically flown to Auckland to oversee the event. The Ka Mate haka was composed around 1820 by the warrior chief Te Rauparaha to commemorate his escape from a pursuing war party of a rival tribe. Under New Zealand law, the Ngati Toa tribe, based in Porirua near Wellington, is recognized as the cultural guardians of the Ka Mate haka.
