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Home » Destinations » Oceania » New Zealand

Video: Traditional Maori Haka Dance

Modified: Aug 16, 2019 · Published: Dec 17, 2007 by Dave Lee |

During our third night of the bus tour, we stopped in Maketu for a bit of traditional Maori culture.

We were entertained by a family's music/dance show, and then the guys were invited to learn the Haka dance, while the ladies learned another type of dance.

The lack of shirts was mandatory and it's clear we're all in need of a good tan!

After the show, we all grabbed mattresses and blankets and had a big slumber party in the large entertainment space.

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About Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 68 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.

Comments

  1. Stu says

    December 17, 2007 at 2:33 pm

    nice going. just as an FYI, haka is a kind of dance, as everyone and their uncle has a different 'haka', eg: the AB's is 'ka-mate'. some private schools will have their own haka, etc. its like scottish tarten. everyone has a kilt, every family has different patterns :)

    as you going to a hangi? mmmmmmm niiice food.

    • Dave says

      December 20, 2007 at 5:12 am

      a hangi....hmmm, if that's the style of food, I've had some. If it's something else, then I've heard/seen it though don't know what it is (Maori party?).

      • Stu says

        December 20, 2007 at 5:15 pm

        They cook the food in the sand/ground and leave it to cook there. mmmmmmmm

        Hope all is good with you from the earthquake NZ just had....

  2. Stu says

    December 17, 2007 at 9:33 am

    nice going. just as an FYI, haka is a kind of dance, as everyone and their uncle has a different 'haka', eg: the AB's is 'ka-mate'. some private schools will have their own haka, etc. its like scottish tarten. everyone has a kilt, every family has different patterns :)

    as you going to a hangi? mmmmmmm niiice food.

    • Dave says

      December 20, 2007 at 12:12 am

      a hangi....hmmm, if that's the style of food, I've had some. If it's something else, then I've heard/seen it though don't know what it is (Maori party?).

      • Stu says

        December 20, 2007 at 12:15 pm

        They cook the food in the sand/ground and leave it to cook there. mmmmmmmm

        Hope all is good with you from the earthquake NZ just had....

  3. Jeff says

    December 17, 2007 at 12:38 pm

    I loved NZ when I went, such an amazing place! great post by the way

  4. Jeff says

    December 17, 2007 at 5:38 pm

    I loved NZ when I went, such an amazing place! great post by the way

  5. Ames says

    December 18, 2007 at 1:46 pm

    Dave....Your posts, pictures and videos are great! That dancing was very cool indeed...are you finding yourself adequately prepared for most of your adventures? (what you packed and expected to do?)

    • Dave says

      December 20, 2007 at 5:15 am

      Hi Amy -

      Thanks! I'm actually quite happy with what I brought - almost everything is being used, including my hiking boots for the Tongariro Crossing (saved renting a pair, though others did it in sneakers without trouble). So far, I've thrown out a pair of socks (down to 2) and a USB cable. I want to buy another t-shirt, and possibly new shorts/pants, though I don't think I have the desire to pay regular USA prices for them, so I'm going to hold out until Asia in February. :)

  6. Ames says

    December 18, 2007 at 8:46 am

    Dave....Your posts, pictures and videos are great! That dancing was very cool indeed...are you finding yourself adequately prepared for most of your adventures? (what you packed and expected to do?)

    • Dave says

      December 20, 2007 at 12:15 am

      Hi Amy -

      Thanks! I'm actually quite happy with what I brought - almost everything is being used, including my hiking boots for the Tongariro Crossing (saved renting a pair, though others did it in sneakers without trouble). So far, I've thrown out a pair of socks (down to 2) and a USB cable. I want to buy another t-shirt, and possibly new shorts/pants, though I don't think I have the desire to pay regular USA prices for them, so I'm going to hold out until Asia in February. :)

  7. Daniel says

    December 18, 2007 at 2:57 pm

    David,

    I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your trip with us all. I have a special folder to keep them all in.

    Living vicariously through YOU, and missing my bud here at WORK!!!

    Daniel

    • Dave says

      December 20, 2007 at 5:17 am

      Hey Daniel -

      Good to hear from you! It didn't take long for me to feel validated in my decision to take this trip. I sent a postcard Stephen's way so hopefully you'll get that someday. :)

  8. Daniel says

    December 18, 2007 at 9:57 am

    David,

    I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your trip with us all. I have a special folder to keep them all in.

    Living vicariously through YOU, and missing my bud here at WORK!!!

    Daniel

    • Dave says

      December 20, 2007 at 12:17 am

      Hey Daniel -

      Good to hear from you! It didn't take long for me to feel validated in my decision to take this trip. I sent a postcard Stephen's way so hopefully you'll get that someday. :)

  9. Leo says

    December 19, 2007 at 5:14 am

    Oh man! all that sun and no tan? oh my! ;-)

    I've seen this dance at the New Zealand rugby team games here in DC. I believe it's meant to scare your opponents.

    Leo

    • Dave says

      December 20, 2007 at 5:20 am

      Yes - scare your enemy, or these days, the other team. I think the only thing that would've scared people is my farmer's tan.

  10. Leo says

    December 19, 2007 at 12:14 am

    Oh man! all that sun and no tan? oh my! ;-)

    I've seen this dance at the New Zealand rugby team games here in DC. I believe it's meant to scare your opponents.

    Leo

    • Dave says

      December 20, 2007 at 12:20 am

      Yes - scare your enemy, or these days, the other team. I think the only thing that would've scared people is my farmer's tan.

  11. Dance Videos says

    August 24, 2008 at 9:08 pm

    Hey that was a great share! I have definitely added this to my favorites!

  12. Dance Videos says

    August 25, 2008 at 2:08 am

    Hey that was a great share! I have definitely added this to my favorites!

Dave at Ahu Ko Te Riku on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile.

Hi, I'm Dave

Editor in Chief

I've been writing about adventure travel on Go Backpacking since 2007. I've visited 68 countries.

Read more about Dave.

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