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Exploring the Haka

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Exploring the Haka

Read the kōrero, then use evidence from it to answer the questions. Haka practices and meanings can differ between iwi and contexts; avoid treating one haka as representative of all Māori.

A haka for a new beginning

At a community gathering in Aotearoa, Maia listens as her aunt explains a haka composed for their whānau. Its words recall tūpuna (ancestors), acknowledge the whenua (land), and encourage the younger generation. The aunt says the haka belongs to their people and should be learned with care. The group discusses its words, the occasion, and who has permission to teach it. They practise together, paying attention to the meaning as well as the movements. Haka are group performances involving voice and movement, but they are not all the same. Depending on the people and occasion, a haka may express welcome, grief, pride, challenge, or solidarity. Haka can be performed at significant gatherings, including pōwhiri and tangihanga, and in contemporary settings such as sporting events. A haka is not simply a set of actions: its words, history, relationships, and tikanga matter. Whakapapa connects people with their ancestors and relations; mana refers to authority, standing, or dignity. Understanding a particular haka means listening to the people connected to it and respecting their guidance.

Read closely

Use the kōrero above for Questions 1–4.

1.Which statement best captures the kōrero’s main idea about haka?

Every haka has the same purpose and movements.
Haka carry meaning shaped by people, history, occasion, and tikanga.
Haka are performed only at sporting events.
Haka are mainly a way to entertain an audience.

2.Name two ideas or relationships that Maia’s whānau haka recalls.

3.Match each te reo Māori term to its meaning.

Whakapapa
Mana
Tikanga

Practices, values, or protocols that guide what is appropriate
Connections to ancestors and relations
Authority, standing, or dignity

4.According to the kōrero, name one occasion other than a sporting event where a haka may be performed.

Think about context and respect

Use specific details from the kōrero where possible.

5.True or false: The kōrero says that all haka have the same meaning. Explain your choice in a few words.

6.A group is learning a haka connected to a particular iwi. What is one respectful step they should take before performing it?

7.Complete the sentence using a term from the kōrero: Connections to ancestors and relations are described as .

8.Explain how the haka in Maia’s story connects to identity or whakapapa. Use one detail from the kōrero.

9.The kōrero says to pay attention to meaning as well as movements. Why might learning only the movements miss something important?

10.Write one thoughtful question you would ask a knowledgeable person before learning a haka connected to their people. Explain briefly why you would ask it.