New Zealand Reclaims World Record for Largest Mass Haka, Bringing Cultural Pride Back Home

New Zealand reclaimed the world record for the largest mass haka at Eden Park rugby stadium in Auckland. A total of 6,531 people gathered to perform the traditional M?ori dance, known as the "Ka Mate" haka, dethroning France, which had held the record since 2014 with 4,028 participants. The event was organized by the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust to bring the record back to New Zealand, where the haka holds deep cultural significance.

The haka, a vigorous war dance involving chanting, stamping feet, and expressive movements, has long been a symbol of pride and strength for New Zealanders. Michael Mizrahi, the director of the Auckland attempt, said, "We want to bring the mana (pride) of the haka back home. It’s not just that we want to take it off the French, it’s like a national treasure that somebody has taken from us. It’s got enormous meaning for us as New Zealanders. Some things should be culturally sacred." 

A record-breaking "Ka Mate" haka performed by thousands, officially confirmed by a Guinness World Records adjudicator.

The record-breaking performance of the "Ka Mate" haka, made famous by New Zealand's All Blacks rugby team, was confirmed by a Guinness World Records adjudicator flown in specifically for the event. Mizrahi noted that previous attempts to reclaim the record, despite crowds of more than 5,000, had failed due to the absence of official adjudication.

The previous record, held by France since September 2014, was set in Brive-la-Gaillarde, southwestern France, after a rugby match. French woman Diane Clayton, who has lived in New Zealand for 20 years, expressed her surprise at France holding the record in the first place: "For me, it was like if someone said the record for the biggest number of people singing La Marseillaise was in New York, I'd be like, what the heck?"

The "Ka Mate" haka was composed around 1820 by the M?ori chief Te Rauparaha of the Ngati Toa tribe, who are now recognized under New Zealand law as the cultural guardians of the haka. The dance was initially performed as a war challenge, but today, it is seen as a symbol of respect and is performed on various significant occasions, especially by the All Blacks before their test matches. 

Although Auckland organizers had hoped for up to 10,000 participants, they were pleased with the turnout of 6,531 people. Among those participating were well-known figures like actor and director Taika Waititi, US television host Conan O'Brien, and Six60’s frontman Matiu Walters. 

The haka’s importance goes beyond sports. After the Christchurch terror attacks, haka performances became a spontaneous show of unity and respect. As Clayton explained, people often overlook its deeper meaning: "I think people focus too much on the physical aspect of it because it looks like a war dance and it's very expressive, but it's so meaningful. There is a real danger that people completely skip that part, which is essential."

This latest attempt to break the record, unlike the one in Rotorua in 2017, was officially ratified by Guinness World Records. "This time around, an adjudicator was flown to Auckland," Mizrahi said, ensuring the record was formally recognized and brought back to its rightful cultural home in New Zealand.