NEWS Sep 08, 2011
HAKA!
2 September 2011 – 5 April 2012
National Library Auckland Centre
Stanley Street, Parnell
The Rugby World Cup challenge is here! But if you think haka is just a stirring start to our national game, check out the exhibition HAKA! at the National Library Auckland Centre.
HAKA! explores the tradition of haka and shows its continuing importance in today’s world through photographs, film and sound recordings.
During the exhibition New Zealand’s rugby grounds will thunder with ‘ka mate’ and ‘ponga ra’: the haka of the All Blacks. The Rugby World Cup will also hear other challenges and voices: the Sipi Tau of the Tongan team; the Siva Tau of Samoa and the Cibi of Fiji.
The significance of haka extends far beyond the world of sport though; it is a powerful presence in our nation’s most important moments. Haka is deeply embedded within the culture, identity and language of Māori. It is at times joyful, ceremonial, topical or a challenge.
Maori Battalion performing a haka for the King of Greece at Helwan, Egypt 1941. Unknown official photographer. ATL, DA-01229 F.
This exhibition captures such moments through images of the 1905 All Blacks performing haka before a test against England; the Māori Battalion in Egypt; shots of haka from the modern All Blacks and the winning 2011 Matatini kapa haka team in full flight.
Haka takes us to the moment before battle, when the call is to ‘stiffen the sinews and summon up the blood’.
HAKA! is on at the National Library Auckland Centre in Parnell until 5 April 2012.
Open 10am-6pm, Monday to Friday. Free entry.
Resources
Services to Schools have primary sources available for teachers, including many images from the collections and other sources.
See the HAKA! sources on Services to Schools
HAKA! images
You are welcome to use these images alongside this story, as long as you attribute the Alexander Turnbull Library as the source and include the image's reference number.
Āpirana Ngata leads ‘Rūaumoko’ at Waitangi, 1940 (Reference: MNZ-2746-1/2-F)
Ngāti Kahungunu pōwhiri visitors to a wedding, 1899 (Reference: PAColl-5584-02)
Getting there
Map showing how to get to the Auckland Centre and where parking is located {PDF}
The Auckland Centre is also on the Link Bus route at the bottom of Parnell Rise.
Contacts
Media liaison: Keith Thorsen
Email or phone 04 4704436
Māori Media Liaison: Evelyn Tobin
Email or phone 09 832 3292 or 021 156 3371
School Programme Liaison: Katie Preston
Email or phone 09 365 8818
Exhibition Curator: Peter Ireland
Email or phone 04 474 3024
