Kids know a thing or two about HAKA!

The programme (tailored to the age and requirements of the school) takes the students on an exploration of haka. Students and teachers are invited to engage more deeply with our collections, learn research and information skills and develop their knowledge and understanding of New Zealand heritage and haka.

Get some educator resources for the exhibition

Come visit the exhibition at the Library's Auckland Centre

The programmes so far have been a great success with a range of schools participating and due to demand are now also available during term one of 2012. At the end of each session we asked the students to answer the following question.

What do you think haka means to the people of Aotearoa?

These are some of our favourite responses:

Marlborough Primary Years 3-6

It makes us unique!

Haka represents NZ and it saying we are NZ and we are awesome!

The haka to New Zealander’s means our identity as a nation, performing together as one!

Bay of Islands College Years 11-13

Haka is an expression of ones self, be it spiritually, mentally or physically.

Strength and belief in yourself wairua, aroha being Maori.

A physical manifestation of an individual’s ihi and wehi. It makes us unique as a people, as a culture!

Clendon School Year 7-8

Haka is an aggressive dance that expresses the way you feel.

It means you can show your true colours and who you are.

You just get lost in the moment, it’s a great feeling.

The haka has been passed down by our ancestors and we want the haka to stay around for generations.

Waioneke Years 5-8

Haka is a challenge and it represents the culture of our country.

It is a temper that can be controlled.

Koru School year 3-4

Haka makes me special and when you hear it its loud!

Haka makes me happy and makes me feel strong to stand up and try my best haka.

Clendon Park School Years 6-7

It is important to Maori people for the haka to still be alive for New Zealand and it grabs other people’s attention.

They represent their own country and feel proud of themselves.

Auckland Girls Grammar Year 10

Haka is significant to New Zealand and our Maoritanga as a whole. It signifies mana.

Haka is the expression of a celebration of life, birth, death, happiness, sadness, anger, joy, pain. Haka is an expression of human life.

It is part of our culture to show who we are and what we are capable of. We can be nice and loving in our haka and feminine and we can also be fierce and frightening.