Many people around the world know the haka, the traditional Māori dance, because the All Blacks perform it before the start of their rugby games. Other New Zealand sports teams also perform the haka when they travel overseas.

However, the world record for the largest haka is not currently held by New Zealand. France claimed the world record in 2014 with a group of 4,028 people. There have been two attempts to break the record, in Masterton in 2016 with 6,000 people, and in Rotorua in 2017 with 7,700 people, but neither of these attempts were officially recognized by Guinness World Records.

Consequently, it was announced last week that there is going to be another record attempt at Eden Park in Auckland on 29 September. Although there needs to be only 4,029 people to break the record, the organisers are aiming to have 10,000 people. They say that anyone can take part, for a small fee, and beginners are welcome to join in. It will even be possible to participate online.

This attempt is being organised by Dame Hinewehi Mohi, who argues that the haka is unique to Aotearoa New Zealand and so it is important to bring the world record back here. The attempt will also raise money for the music therapy centre that she founded. Music therapy uses music to help people with special needs. The centre is a charity and is celebrating its 20th anniversary, but it needs to raise money, especially in the current cost-of-living crisis when many people cannot donate as much.

Dame Hinewehi is a musician, producer, and te reo Māori advocate. She is also famous for being the first person to sing New Zealand’s national anthem in Māori, at the opening game of the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

Click on this link if you’d like to find out more about the haka record attempt.

Click on this link to watch the world record attempt in Rotorua in 2017.

Vocabulary

unique – if something is unique, it is the only one of its kind

to found – to start an organisation or company

to donate – to give money to an organisation

advocate – someone who publicly supports something or someone