Cultural Educational Resources

Ko Tane Out of Class Package

This package provides students with a closed session allowing time with our Kapahaka performers. Let us teach your students in a fun and interactive environment the basics of our performing arts. This package begins at the conclusion of the cultural tour performance. Following is what we teach.

Song and dance are a powerful way for individuals to express themselves, and through sharing this experience, people from all cultures are able to come together to express their common humanity.

The Haka or war dance has become famous worldwide through New Zealand's national rugby team, the All Blacks. Traditionally, men would perform haka before a battle. The flashing eyes outthrust tongues and warlike gestures of the warriors would strike fear into the hearts of their enemies.

Poi. The early whalers were known to have taken Maori maidens as wives as the direct result of viewing them performing with the poi. We use short poi, which can be beaten on the body and hands to produce sound and rhythm.

Waiata a ringa combines movement, song, expressions and dance. The movements have meanings which refer to the words of the song. The women’s facial expressions, particularly the flashing eyes, are an important element of the performance.

The ti rakau, or titi sticks, are a popular rhythmic game. Although the performers make it look easy, it’s a difficult art to master, as any small mistake will spoil the exchanges of sticks. Kapa haka groups will vie with one another to produce sequences of brilliant complexity.

Costs and Times

Children: $15
International Students: $35

Times

Ko Tane Out of Class (wildlife excluded) 2 HOURS
Ko Tane Out of Class (wildlife included) 3 HOURS

Morning start time for an individual package is 10am. Afternoon start time for an individual package is 1pm. Start time for both packages combined is 10am or 12pm. Evening booking are not available for local schools.

You can book or contact us by phone, fax or email or use our booking form (bookings must be for groups of 30pax or over).

Please email us for more information

The War Dance - Haka Taparahi

Perhaps the best known haka in modern time is the world renowned "Ka mate ka mate" - the haka made famous by the New Zealand rugby team, the All Blacks.

More than any other aspect of Maori culture, this complex spiritual dance is an expression of the passion, vigour and identity of the people. Haka are sometimes thought of as solely war dances, but individual haka have different purposes and not all are related to war - sometimes they can signify welcome, or act as a celebratory dance.

Ka Mate Ka Mate

The meaning of this haka:

We were at war, but now there is peace. We thought we were all going to die, but now we are safe. Because our leader, so strong and masculine has unified us and brought back the sunny days of peace. We are all working in harmony side by side. Moving in unison like the hairs on our chief's legs to prolong these sunny days of peace.